Which of the following is more frequently associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae than with Pseudomonas aeruginosa?
Correct Answer: Upper lobe cavitation
Description: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a well-recognized cause of community-acquired lobar pneumonia associated with cavitation. It is found typically in alcoholic males over 40 years of age with underlying diabetes or obstructive lung disease. Klebsiella pneumoniae mimics Streptococcus pneumoniae as a pulmonary pathogen except that Klebsiella has a greater tendency to progress to lung abscess and empyema. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is usually associated with patients on ventilators, paicularly in intensive care units. Immunocompetent patients usually have bilateral bronchopneumonia without cavitary lesions. Aificial ventilation is classically associated with P. aeruginosa infection. The organism thrives in a wet environment such as respirators, cleaning solutions, disinfectants, sinks, vegetables, flowers, endoscopes, and physiotherapy pools. P. aeruginosa is a very impoant pathogen. Mucoid strains of this organism infect the airways in patients with cystic fibrosis, leading to acute exacerbations and chronic progression of lung damage. Both organisms cause disease in association with diabetes. Klebsiella pneumoniae produces pulmonary disease and P. aeruginosa causes necrotic skin ulcers in diabetics. Ref: Brooks G.F. (2013). Chapter 15. Enteric Gram-Negative Rods (Enterobacteriaceae). In G.F. Brooks (Ed), Jawetz, Melnick, & Adelberg's Medical Microbiology, 26e.
Category:
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