Klebsiella pneumoniae is a class of gram-negative bacterium that is ubiquitously found on the surface of mucosa in animals, or in the environment (such as water, soil, etc.). In humans, K. pneumoniae is concentrated in the gastrointestinal tract, and a few in the nasopharynx, through which the bacteria can enter the blood circulation or other tissues, and then cause infection. In the era of pre-antibiotics, K. pneumoniae was a vital pathogen of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), especially in diabetics and alcoholics. In the era of antibiotics that followed, it became a major cause of medical-related infections in hospitals, and a risk factor of severe community-acquired infections.

Project title: Molecular Characterization of MDR Klebsiella species.

Progress: Currently we are collecting Klebsiella stains from various clinical samples such as urine, wound swab, and blood.

Our lab is collaboratively working with NSU genome research institute.

Selected Publication:

1. The Characteristic of Virulence, Biofilm and Antibiotic Resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Aug 28;17(17):6278. Wang G, Zhao G, Chao X, Xie L, Wang H. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176278.

2. Population genomics of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2020 Jun; 18(6):344-359. Wyres KL, Lam MMC, Holt KE. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-019-0315-1

3. Klebsiella pneumoniae as a key trafficker of drug resistance genes from environmental to clinically important bacteria. Curr Opin Microbiol. 2018 Oct; 45:131-139. Wyres KL, Holt KE. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2018.04.004