Klebsiella oxytoca

Gram Stain

• Gram negative bacilli - fermenter

Clinical Significance

This organism is widely distributed in nature and is part of the normal flora of the human gastrointestinal tract.

K. oxytoca is associated with similar infections as K. pneumoniae, especially nosocomial infections.

Usual Susceptibility Pattern

Klebsiella oxytoca produces both a penicillinase and a low level inducible chromosomal cefotaximase (CTX-M ESBL) and is intrinsically resistant to all penicillins/1st generation cephalosporins.  Hyperproduction of its cefotaximase can result in resistance to 3rd generation cephalosporins.  

It is usually susceptible to beta lactamase inhibitor combinations.  

Most strains are susceptible to aminoglycosides, quinolones, fosfomycin, and nitrofurantoin. 

Susceptibility to TMP/SMX and tetracycline is variable.