General Overview of Klebsiella pneumonia: Epidemiology and the Role of Siderophores in Its Pathogenicity

Abstract

The opportunistic pathogen <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> (<i>K. pneumoniae</i>) can colonize mucosal surfaces and spread from mucosae to other tissues, causing fatal infections. Medical equipment and the healthcare setting can become colonized by <i>Klebsiella</i> species, which are widely distributed in nature and can be found in water, soil, and animals. Moreover, a substantial number of community-acquired illnesses are also caused by this organism worldwide. These infections are characterized by a high rate of morbidity and mortality as well as the capacity to spread metastatically. Hypervirulent <i>Klebsiella</i> strains are thought to be connected to these infections. Four components are critical to this bacterium's pathogenicity-the capsule, lipopolysaccharide, fimbriae, and siderophores. Siderophores are secondary metabolites that allow iron to sequester from the surrounding medium and transport it to the intracellular compartment of the bacteria. A number of variables may lead to <i>K. pneumoniae</i> colonization in a specific area. Risk factors for infection include local healthcare practices, antibiotic use and misuse, infection control procedures, nutrition, gender, and age.