Klebsiella oxytoca is usually a commensal bacteria found in the digestive tract and respiratory system of humans but is now an emerging pathogen causing infection in adults. The most at risk are typically those who have been in hospital, but anyone can be affected given the right circumstances.
K. oxytoca has multiple drug resistance to common antibiotics and shares resistance genes easily with other microbes. This makes a special problem in hospitals, particularly intensive care units, where the most resistant bacteria thrive. These infections can also affect those with lowered resistance, such as the elderly.
Interestingly, these bacteria may respond to the removal of antibiotic therapy.
K. oxytoca is commonly found in the digestive tract of mammals, in water and in soil, but is increasingly being found in human infections. The most common sites of infection include the urinary tract, lungs and blood.
Other potentially problematic strains of Klebsiella include:
K. oxytoca was originally called Bacillus oxytocus perniciosus, isolated from sour milk. This bacteria can ferment lactose, using this milk sugar as an energy source.
