Microbiological and Clinical Aspects of Raoultella spp.

The genus Raoultella was established in 2001. Species of Raoultella and Klebsiella share many ecological, biochemical, clinical, and microbiological features. Given the shortcomings of available technology for species identification in the clinical microbiology laboratory, are practically indistinguishable. Since the late 2000s there has been an increase in case reports of human Raoultella infections. Therefore, several authors are postulating that Raoultella spp. are rare and/or emerging pathogens. Conclusions: Raoultella spp. are very similar to Klebsiella spp. The epidemiology and the clinical relevance of the human Raoultella spp. infections is uncertain and further studies are required. The previous difficulties in the identification of Raoultella spp. and the introduction of more precise identification techniques may explain the recent increase in the number of case reports. Raoultella spp. might be rather underdiagnosed than rare or emerging pathogens.

Automated summary

Species of Raoultella and Klebsiella share many similarities and are practically indistinguishable in clinical microbiology laboratories due to technological limitations. There has been an increase in case reports of human Raoultella infections since the late 2000s, leading some authors to suggest Raoultella spp. as rare and/or emerging pathogens. Further studies are needed to clarify the epidemiology and clinical relevance of human Raoultella infections, as well as the impact of advancements in identification techniques on the reported cases. Raoultella spp. may be more underdiagnosed than considered rare or emerging pathogens.