Difference Between E. Coli and Klebsiella

You must be knowing that we use bacteria to convert milk into curd. But do you know these bacteria also cause us various types of diseases? Some bacterias are useful for humans and some are harmful to human beings.

E.coli and Klebsiella are the bacteria that cause various types of diseases in human beings. Klebsiella is mostly responsible for causing pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. E.coli is responsible for causing various intestinal diseases, urinary tract infections, and neonatal meningitis.

What Is E.coli

E.coli is a rod-shaped, anaerobic bacteria that are commonly found in the intestine of animals. E.coli belongs to the genus Escherichia. It is a gram-negative bacteria. Normally e.coli does not cause harm to its host. But some e.coli can cause food poisoning. These bacteria are most commonly excreted through fecal matter in environments.

What Is Klebsiella

Klebsiella is a gram-negative bacteria that usually live in the intestine and does not harm the host. But it can go to other areas of the body and cause various infections and diseases. Such as if it reaches the lungs, then it can cause pneumonia. These bacteria are resistant to various disinfectants and antibiotics because of the presence of a capsule.

Characteristics Of The E.Coli And Culture Of E.Coli

Lysogeny or Luria is the most commonly used culture media for E.coli.

The characteristics of the culture of E.coli is given below:

• The culture of E.coli is facultative aerobic which means it can make ATP in presence of oxygen if available, but can also do fermentation of oxygen if absent.

• Maximum growth occurs at 37°c

• They are commonly ord or bacilli shaped

• It May occur singly or in pair

• Protect intestine from bacterial infection

• In the human gut, these bacteria also produce various vitamins such as vitamin k and vitamin B12

• These bacteria also aid in digestion

• There are more than 700 strains of E.coli

Characteristics Of The Klebsiella And Culture Of Klebsiella

The most commonly used culture media for Klebsiella are Macconkey agar or nutrient agar media.

The following are the characteristics of Klebsiella and the culture of Klebsiella

• Klebsiella is a short and rod-shaped bacteria

• Klebsiella on emb agar produces pink, large mucoid colonies

• The size of these bacterias is 1-2 micrometer

• These are non-motile and non-flagellated bacteria

• These aerobic bacteria show the best growth in the presence of oxygen and can grow in absence of oxygen hence called facultative anaerobes.

Infections Caused By E.coli And Klebsiella

Following are the most common infections caused by E.coli

• Cholecystitis - Inflammation of the gallbladder due to bacterial infection

• Cholangitis - Inflammation of the bile duct system

• Urinary tract infection

• Neonatal meningitis

• Pneumonia

• Traveler's diarrhea

Following are the infections caused by Klebsiella

• Pneumonia is the most common infection caused by Klebsiella

• Urinary tract infection

• Septicemia - infections caused by bacteria in the blood

• Nosocomial infection - is also known as hospital-associated infection. These infections occur after admission to the hospital.

• Infections of wound or surgical site.

Differences Between E.coli And Klebsiella

Important Questions

1. What antibiotics treat E.coli infections?

Ans: Fluoroquinolones are the antibiotics that are used to treat e.coli infections. These are broad-spectrum antibiotics that act on enzymes involved in DNA replication. Examples of fluoroquinolones are - Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, etc.

2. How dangerous is Klebsiella?

Ans: Klebsiella can cause pneumonia which can be serious if it gets into other parts of the body, especially when we have low immunity. And this can't be treated with common antibiotics.

3. How long does it take to treat Klebsiella?

Ans: Klebsiella can be treated with antibiotics in 14-21 days. These antibiotics may be given intravenously or orally.

Interesting Facts

• Bacteria also communicate with each other by sending a signal

• The number of bacterial cells present in a human is 10 times the cells of human cells.

• Our body is protected by bacteria from invading pathogens

• Bacteria adapt very fast to the environment

• The smell of soil during rain is because of bacteria.

Key Features

• In this article, we have studied E.coli and Klebsiella

• These are the normal flora in humans and can be pathogenic in some cases such as in immunocompromised patients

• There are differences between E.coli and Klebsiella

• E.coli is beneficial for humans because it synthesises vitamins in the gut. It synthesizes vitamin K and vitamin B12 whereas Klebsiella is known for nitrogen fixation

• E.coli is also known for causing various diseases such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, etc. Whereas Klebsiella is known for causing various hospital-associated infections

• Klebsiella infections include - pneumonia and other infections

Practice Questions

1. Is Klebsiella a common urinary tract bacteria?

2. What is the confirmatory test for E.coli?

3. How does Klebsiella cause urinary tract infection?

4. How does Klebsiella enter the body?

5. How long does it take to treat Klebsiella?