Explore the recorded discovery and history of Klebsiella pneumoniae, with source links and stated limits.
CDC describes Klebsiella as bacteria normally found in human stool, where they do not cause disease, and states that healthy people usually do not get Klebsiella infections. In healthcare settings the same organism causes pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections and meningitis, most often in patients already being treated for other conditions. PHAC records carriage in stool for roughly a third of people, with detection between 5 and 36%, and describes non-motile, usually encapsulated rods. Some strains resist carbapenems, an antibiotic group CDC calls often the last line of defence.
LPSN records Hyalococcus pneumoniae Schroeter 1886 as the earlier name for this organism, noting it as a homotypic synonym that was not validly published.
LPSN records the current name as (Schroeter 1886) Trevisan 1887, on the Approved Lists of 1980, with type strain ATCC 13883. Three subspecies are recognized: pneumoniae, ozaenae and rhinoscleromatis.
These references do not establish the first person ever infected. Discovery, naming and isolation milestones do not date biological origin or a patient zero.
Source check: 2026-09-19. Educational content; independent scientific review remains pending.