Klebsiella oxytoca (K. oxytoca)

Klebsiella oxytoca is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family and is recognized as a significant opportunistic human pathogen (StatPearls, 2023). It is distinguished from other members of the Klebsiella genus primarily by its ability to produce indole and its specific association with antibiotic-associated hemorrhagic colitis (AAHC). This condition is driven by the production of the pyrrole-benzodiazepine cytotoxins tilivalline and tilimycin, which cause intestinal epithelial damage (Schneditz et al., 2014; Nature). While K. oxytoca is a common commensal of the human gastrointestinal tract, it can cause severe extraintestinal infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and neonatal sepsis, particularly in healthcare settings (NIH, 2022). From a pharmacological perspective, K. oxytoca is the target of various antimicrobial therapies, including carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides. However, the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, particularly those carrying extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) or carbapenemases, represents a major therapeutic challenge (Fevre et al., 2005; Journal of Clinical Microbiology).

Other names

Bacillus oxytocusAerobacter oxytocum

Inhibition of cell wall synthesis via penicillin-binding proteins (Beta-lactams); Inhibition of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV (Fluoroquinolones); Inhibition of the 30S ribosomal subunit (Aminoglycosides).