01 LPS

Klebsiella spp., particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae, are important causes of nosocomial infections. K. pneumoniae infections may occur at almost all body sites, but the highest incidence is found in the urinary and respiratory tracts. The main populations at risk are neonates, immunocompromised hosts, and patients predisposed by prior surgery, diabetes, malignancy. K. pneumoniae typically expresses both lipopolysaccharide (LPS, O antigen) and capsule polysaccharide (K antigen) on its surface, and both LPS and capsule contribute to the pathogenicity of this species.