Stool metagenome analysis of patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess and their domestic partners

Objectives: Hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumoniae is an emerging cause of community-acquired liver abscess. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hypermucoviscous strains could be shared among households. Methods: The clinical K. pneumoniae isolates from a cohort of 24 patients with Klebsiella liver abscess were genotyped, and the stool metagenomes of the index patients and their cohabiting domestic partners were analyzed. Results: K. pneumoniae was identified in 33% of index patient stools, and one index patient's clinical isolate was identified in their domestic partner's stool. Conclusions: This could represent a transmission event or could represent exposure to a common environmental source. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases.

Automated summary

The study found that hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumoniae could potentially be shared among household members, indicating a potential transmission risk of hypermucoviscous strains within households.