One of the components of the contents of the human intestine is the microorganism Klebsiella. It refers to its normal microflora. But when the immunity is weakened, the bacterium begins to multiply. It can affect the respiratory, urinary system, gastrointestinal tract.
Description
The Klebsiella bacterium in the intestine is a rod-shaped microorganism. Its structure is similar to Enterobacter and Serratia. Distinguish them only with the help of special samples. Klebsiella bacteria are also usually immobile. On the surface of suitable culture media, they live in large colonies. And other types of similar microorganisms are quite mobile. Now doctors isolate more than 80 strains of Klebsiella, they are distinguished on the basis of capsular antigens.
These microorganisms look like sticks with a length of 0.6-6 microns with rounded ends. They are arranged in pairs, short chains or singly. On their surface are threadlike outgrowths with which they are fixed.
Bacteria danger
The harmful activity of Klebsiella in the intestine begins to develop only when the protective forces of the whole organism are weakened. It begins to actively multiply and provoke the appearance of various inflammatory processes. It can even cause sepsis. In this case, the patient may die.
The specified microorganism can affect not only various organs, but also the mucous membranes of the eyelids and joints. It can also damage the lining of the brain.
The bacterium is stored in the environment for a long time. Klebsiella can be found in soil, sewage and ordinary water. The bacterium is resistant to temperature extremes, ultraviolet radiation, and disinfectants. Also, many antibiotics do not act on it.
Causes of problems
With a decrease in immunity, Klebsiella in the intestines in adults and children begins to show activity. The mechanism of its transmission is fecal-oral, and the main routes are contact-household and food. Moreover, the first method of infection is characteristic of medical institutions. It is there that a pathogenic microorganism can be transmitted through the hands of personnel in contact with patients, equipment and various care items. As a rule, bacteria enter the body through dirty hands.
The food route involves the possibility of infection through properly processed foods. So, unwashed fruits, meat, milk can become a source of infection .
Klebsiella in the intestines in infants can begin to multiply due to infection in the hospital during feeding. Children are most susceptible to infection with this bacterium. Most often, premature and weakened babies are affected. Outbreaks of infection are sometimes observed in departments for newborns, premature babies. Children's intensive care, surgical and urological departments do not fall under the exception.
Lesions
As soon as the Klebsiella bacterium passes through the respiratory tract, urinary system or gastrointestinal tract into the body, the formation of an inflammatory focus begins. At the same time, toxins secreted by microorganisms contribute to the development of the process.
For example, with foodborne infection, a massive death of bacteria is observed, while pronounced toxinemia is observed. If Klebsiella is activated in the intestines of a child, then this can cause the development of bacteremia. In this case, secondary foci of infection may appear: pneumonia, pyelonephritis, purulent meningitis. The development of sepsis cannot be ruled out.
Damage to the lungs can be either a primary or secondary infection. Pleura may also be involved in the inflammatory process, hemorrhages and necrotic foci are also sometimes noted.
In some patients, primary or secondary infection of the urinary tract, kidneys may occur. With the defeat of the gastrointestinal tract, the development of edema, an increase in blood supply to the large and small intestines is possible. Klebsiella in the intestine can cause erosion and hemorrhage.
Symptoms of Bowel Problems
Doctors know that during infection with the indicated bacterium, the incubation period is quite small. It can last from several hours to 2 days. True, with the contact-household method of infection, it stretches for 3-6 days.
If Klebsiella begins to multiply uncontrollably in the intestines, the symptoms in adults are similar to those in children. The disease is called enterocolitis or enteritis. It begins quite sharply. First of all, the temperature rises significantly (the value can reach 40 degrees), loose stools begin , cramping abdominal pains appear, which are characterized by increased intensity. All manifestations are rapidly increasing. The stool is liquid, often with an admixture of mucus, streaks of blood, a fetid odor. It can be from 5 to several tens of times a day.
In some cases, with enterocolitis, yellowness of the skin, an increase in the liver are noted. In children, the disease is complicated by the development of pneumonia, sepsis, pyelonephritis, purulent meningitis. Premature babies and those crumbs whose health is undermined by frequent diseases are especially at risk.
Klebsiella infection of other organs
In some cases, the bacterium does not enter the intestines, but into the lungs or kidneys. So, it can cause pneumonia. The disease begins with a fever, the temperature can rise to 41 degrees. He also has chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, cough. Klebsiella infection fever can last about 10 days. The disease is characterized by the appearance of sputum. It is viscous, often with bloody spots, with the smell of burnt meat. Often the disease is complicated by toxic toxic shock, pleurisy, meningitis, abscesses in the lungs.
But not only in the intestines and lungs, Klebsiella causes pathological processes. It can affect the kidneys and all urinary tract. The disease is characterized by fever, general weakness, severe signs of intoxication, pain in the lower back and abdomen. The most severe forms of infection develop in pregnant women and women in childbirth. They can be accompanied by the development of endotoxic shock, cause abortion.
Sepsis
Regardless of where the bacterium began to multiply, the possibility of the development of the worst scenario cannot be ruled out. Indeed, as a complication of any of the infections, sepsis can begin. Characteristic symptoms are loss of consciousness and fever. Its values can be in the range 38.5-41 0 C. In addition to the characteristic symptoms of the disease, hemorrhagic syndrome develops. With it, bruising appears as a result of leakage of blood beyond the boundaries of blood vessels. They can be on the mucous pharynx, conjunctiva. The central nervous system is also affected, meningial symptoms, convulsions appear. With a generalized form of the disease, mortality is 70%.
Diagnosis of the disease
To accurately determine the problem and the cause that caused it, laboratory tests are needed. Feces, urine, and sputum are given for analysis, depending on which particular disease began to develop. The test material is sent for bacterioscopy. Serological reactions are also made , with their help you can set the amount of the pathogen. An important component of the study is the determination of sensitivity to various antibacterial agents.
Infection treatment
As a rule, if Klebsiella is found in the intestine, treatment is carried out in a hospital. They put patients in the hospital based on the clinical picture, and accurate diagnosis is carried out on the spot.
Therapy of moderate and severe forms of the disease is impossible without the use of antibacterial drugs. As a rule, such drugs as Gentamicin, Tobramycin, Ceftriaxone, Cefuroxime, Cefotaxime are prescribed. In severe forms of the disease, combination therapy with the help of several antibacterial agents is possible.
If Klebsiella was found in the intestine, then oral administration of drugs is considered the most optimal. But it is also possible their intravenous, intramuscular or drip.
Oral rehydrotherapy is also prescribed. It can be carried out infusion or using extracorporeal methods, for example, plasmapheresis. To increase the body's resistance, such means as Immunal, Pentoxyl are used. In severe cases, the use of whole blood or native plasma is justified.
It is important that patients drink probiotics or bacteriophages. Preparations of these groups are able to restore normal microflora in the intestine and inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.