Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative, encapsulated bacterium belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is more frequently associated with nosocomial infections and is one of several bacteria developing high rates of antibiotic resistance.1 Since the mid-1980s, there have been reported cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae causing life-threatening, invasive infections acquired in the community by otherwise healthy individuals. The propensity to form metastatic foci of infection in immunocompetent hosts is unusual for an enteric, Gram-negative pathogen.2 This hypervirulent variant of K. pneumoniae was originally noted only in Asian-Pacific countries but is now being identified globally.3 The variant has unique mucoid characteristics and is also often referred to as hypermucoviscous. We discuss a case of a young male who presented with severe sepsis secondary to hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKP) causing distant concomitant abscesses and necrotizing fasciitis.
Recommended Citation
Kostic, MD, Natasa and Gonzalez, MD, Marina
(2025)
"String Theory - A Case of Hypermucoviscous Klebsiella Pneumoniae Causing Distant Necrotizing Infections,"
The Medicine Forum: Vol. 26, Article 30.
Available at:
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/tmf/vol26/iss1/30
