Abstract

Klebsiella are the gram negative, rod shaped and non-motile bacteria which belongs to the tribe Klebsiellae and family Enterobacteraceae. This bacteria is covered with a capsule which gives it a larger shape and also protects it against defense mechanisms of many hosts. Usually, the Klebsiella organisms are harmless and live in the human intestines without causing any trouble. Klebsiella creates problems when the host is sick or has low immunity due to any reason. In this condition, they become superbugs making them really harmful and difficult to fight against. Infection with Klebsiella in this condition can cause sepsis, pneumonia or other serious ailments. Here, we will discuss the Klebsiella and its relation to cause Sepsis.

Introduction

Through studies and researches it is found that specifically three strains of the Klebsiella bacteria can be life threatening for hospital patients causing sepsis and pneumonia like infections along with showing resistance to the common antibiotics. From all the strains of Klebsiella, the Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria are the one which lives in intestines and in feces as well. Until they are in the intestines, no harm is caused to the human body but as soon as they enter the other part of the body, severe infections prevail.

Risk of the infection becomes higher if the host is sick or has low immunity. This bacteria can also infect lungs, brain, bladder, wounds, eyes, blood, and liver. And yes, it can cause sepsis!
Certain people are at high risk of getting infected with Klebsiella like chronic alcoholics, and people suffering from lung diseases, cancer, liver diseases, kidney failure or diabetes.

All these diseases lower the immunity and hence increases the chances of infection and eventually sepsis. Along with these, if a person is taking certain antibiotics for long term that too increases the chances of Klebsiella infection. However these infections are rare and usually the people in hospital are at high risk of getting it.

Signs and Symptoms

Usually the Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria infect the urinary tract causing urinary tract infection. Besides these, other infections may include pneumonia and sepsis causing various signs and symptoms.

Pneumonia

  • Shortness of breath
  • Discomfort in chest
  • Fever and chills
  • Cough with sputum
  • Fatigue

Blood infection

  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Pain in muscles
  • Lethargy

Sepsis can occur when this infection advances

Meningitis

  • Headaches
  • Pain & stiffness in neck
  • Back pain
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Seizures

Urinary tract infection

  • Burning in urination
  • Incontinence of urine
  • Increased urgency
  • Pain in abdomen
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Fever

Wound infections

  • Delayed healing
  • Pus formation in the wound
  • Redness of the area
  • Prolonged pain
  • Fever

Causes

Klebsiella is the naturally residing bacteria which live in the intestine and respiratory tract of healthy humans. Its infections are rare in healthy people with strong immunity. However, the certain risk factors like long term use of antibiotics, illness, or weak immunity due to already mentioned factors can lead to the infection and eventually sepsis in severe cases. Infection of Klebsiella can occur in people of any age group, and usually originates from the hospital.

In very rare conditions this infection affects the people outside the hospital and known as Community-acquired klebsiella pneumoniae. This infection in hospitals spreads from one individual to another through infected catheters, ventilator equipment or other tubing systems. Even sometimes the infection can occur directly from the infected person through touching.

Diagnosis

Medical history and physical examination done by the doctor will direct towards the Klebsiella infection but the confirmation of the diagnosis is made by laboratory testing.

These tests include

  • Sputum culture to detect the bacteria
  • Blood sample to rule out or detect the sepsis
  • Lumbar puncture to detect bacterial meningitis is the signs and symptoms suggests so
  • Chest X-ray

Treatment of Klebsiella

Usually the Klebsiella penumoniae is resistant to many of the commonly used antibiotics. Hence the powerful and strong antibiotics are given orally or intravenously to combat the infection. Such antibiotics include Aztreonam, Quinolones, ceftriaxone, etc.  As these are strong antibiotics hence the side effects are also many. Ayurveda can be a better supportive treatment in this case as Klebsiella is resistant to many antibiotics and others has strong side effects.

In Ayurveda, the treatment of such infections is done through various herbs and herbal combinations which boosts immunity of the person enhancing its self-ability to fight infection and also helps in eradicating the infection from the body as these herbal remedies possess natural therapeutic properties.

Herbal Remedies for Klebsiella

Planet Ayurveda is a well known name in the industry of herbal pharmaceuticals where all the products manufactured are purely herbal, vegetarian and organic. No chemicals, additives, etc. are used in these products, which is one of the reasons for high efficacy and safety. All the formulations are made following the classical principles of Ayurveda and under the strict guidance of expert MD Ayurveda doctors. For Klebsiella infection Planet Ayurveda offers a combination of herbal remedies which helps in managing and treating it naturally.

Products List

  1. Neem capsule
  2. Gandhak rasayan
  3. Manjishtha capsule
  4. Kaishore guggul

Products Description

1. Neem capsule

  1. These herbal capsules are prepared using the standardized extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica). Neem is very well known to possess several therapeutic properties like antibacterial, anti microbial, anti inflammatory, anti ulcer, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic. All these factors make neem capsules an ideal remedy to treat Klebsiella infection. These capsules help in killing the bacteria, relieving inflammation and healing the wound if present, preventing sepsis.

Dosage- Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plain water

2. Gandhak rasayan

Shuddha gandhak (Purified sulphur) is used in formulation of these herbal tablets. Gandhak rasayan cleanses the blood and helps in treating its infections. It also clears the wounds, if present any. It possesses medicinal properties like anti viral, antimicrobial and antibacterial.

Dosage- Take 2 tablets twice daily after meals with plain water

3. Manjishtha capsule

  1. Manjishtha capsule- Manjishtha contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which helps in eradicating the infection from the body with its signs and symptoms. Manjishtha capsules also possess anti-inflammatory properties which relieves swelling and redness of the affected area. These capsules are prepared from standardized extract of manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia).

Dosage- Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plain water

4. Kaishore guggul

These herbal tablets are blended using various medicinal herbs like

  • Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
  • Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)
  • Vidanga (Embelia ribes)
  • Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica)
  • Guggul (Commiphora mukul)
  • Shunthi (Zingiber officinale)
  • Pippali (Piper longum)
  • Maricha (Piper nigrum), etc.

Kaishore guggul relieves inflammation, painful stiffness of the body, and helps in healing wounds.

Dosage- Take 2 tablets twice daily after meals with plain water

Contact Planet Ayurveda to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or call at +91-172-5214030 Or Check Website – www.PlanetAyurveda.com

Conclusion

Klebsiella infection is usually hospital originated and people with low immunity suffer from it majorly. It can lead to life threatening conditions like sepsis and pneumonia. However proper treatment along with herbal remedies mentioned above when started timely can help in combating the infection naturally without causing any harm to the body.

Author's Bio: 

Dr. Vikram Chauhan (MD - Ayurveda) is the CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. He is Author of the Book "Ayurveda – God’s Manual For Healing". He is an Ayurveda Expert Serving People worldwide through all the Possible Mediums, Operating from Main Branch in Mohali, India. With his Vast Experience in Herbs and their Applied Uses, he is successfully treating Numerous Patients suffering from Various Ailments with the help of Purest Herbal Supplements, Diet, and Lifestyle, according to the Principles of Ayurveda. For More Details, visit www.PlanetAyurveda.com