It is a bacteria that is still little known to the general public, but which worries the World Health Organization (WHO). Indeed, in a document Published on July 31, the UN organization notes an increase in the circulation of the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) in the world. The latter, described as “hypervirulent” compared to classic strains, is capable of resist antibiotics. These last ones “can cause serious infections in healthy individuals”WHO emphasizes.
The presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae is documented “in at least one country in all six WHO regions”including the European region. Currently, Klebsiella pneumoniae is present in 43 of the 124 countries, territories and areas of the six WHO regions, including France. WHO specifies that “The global risk assessment is moderate.”
What is the Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria and what is the situation worldwide?
Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) “is a Gram-negative bacterium belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family”writes the WHO. It is found in environments such as soil, surface water and medical devices, but also on the mucous membranes of mammals. “In humans, it colonizes the upper part of the throat (nasopharynx) and the gastrointestinal tract.”WHO stresses. These are described as hypervirulent “because of their ability to infect both healthy and immunocompromised individuals and because of their increased tendency to produce invasive infections.”
The authorities have therefore launched, at the beginning of 2024, a global request for information on the presence of the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and more particularly on sequence types (ST) 23. The latter carry genes that are resistant to carbapenem antibiotics, which are antibiotics of last resort. The authors note that “K. pneumoniae strains can cause serious infections in healthy individuals and have been identified with increasing frequency in recent years.”
How does the Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria manage to resist antibiotics?
As the WHO specifies, this bacteria “has a natural resistance to ampicillin, due to the presence of a gene coding for a specific enzyme (β-lactamase)”. The “classic” strains “can cause serious infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections (bacteremia) or meningitis, particularly when infecting immunocompromised people.”
The authors believe that this is “one of the leading causes of infections acquired in healthcare settings worldwide.” It is said to be responsible for 20 to 30% of nosocomial pneumonias in the Americas. These are: “pneumonia that was not incubating at the time of admission and that develops at least 48 hours after admission in patients who are not mechanically ventilated and who have not been extubated within the past 48 hours,” as explained by the Manuel MSD.
WHO also recommends that countries: “strengthen clinical and public health awareness of carbapenem resistance (CR)-hvKp detection”.
Sources :
- Antimicrobial Resistance, Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae – Global situation – OMS – 31/07/2024
- Nosocomial Pneumonia – MSD Manual