Identification of a suspected Klebsiella variicola strain isolated from a patient with severe septic shock / 中华传染病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To identify a suspected Klebsiella variicola strain isolated from a patient with severe septic shock. Methods Sequences of rpoB, gyrA, mdh, infB, phoE and nifH genes were obtained from the clinical isolated suspected Klebsiella variicola strain, and used for constructing phylogenectic trees. Characteristics of phylogenetic trees were used to distinguish Klebsiella variicola from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Results All target gene sequences from this clinical isolated strain constantly formed a cluster with their counterparts from other Klebsiella variicola strains. These clusters were readily differentiated from Klebsiella pneumoniae clusters. Conclusions The clinical isolated strain belongs to Klebsiella variicola class and can cause septic shock. From genetic perspective, Klebsiella variicola is distinctly different from Klebsiella pneumoniae, most of which can be isolated from normal healthy people.