Klebsiella pneumoniae

Basic description of microbe:

• Rods (0.3-1.0 mm diameter and 0.6-6.0 mm length)

• Non-motile

• Anaerobic

• Optimal temperature: 37 ˚C

What it looks like on the agar:

• Whole Colony                                      Round

• Margin                                                 Smooth, entire

• Elevation                                              Convex

• Color                                                   White; opaque & shiny

• Colony Texture                                     Moist

Biochemical tests:

• Oxidase                                                negative

• Catalase                                               positive

• Lysine Decarboxylase                           positive

• H₂S production                                     negative

• Reduction of Nitrate                             positive

• Voges-Proskauer                                 positive

• Simmons Citrate                                   positive

• Indole                                                   negative

Interesting Facts:

• Can cause bacteremia, pneumonia, and urinary tract and other human infections.

• Occurs in human feces and clinical specimens, soil, water, grain, fruits, and vegetables.