Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #294883
Title: Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Klebsiella pneumonia recovered from nonhuman primates

Author
item SOTO, E - Ross University
item LAMON, V - Ross University
item GRIFFIN, M - Mississippi State University
item KEIRSTEAD, N - Ross University
item BEIERSCHMITT, A - Behavioral Science Foundation
item PALMOUR, R - Behavioral Science Foundation

Submitted to: Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/5/2012
Publication Date: 7/15/2012
Citation: Soto, E., Lamon, V., Griffin, M., Keirstead, N., Beierschmitt, A., Palmour, R. 2012. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Klebsiella pneumonia recovered from nonhuman primates. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 48(3):603-611.

Interpretive Summary: Klebsiella pneumonia isolates from African green monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus) on the island of St. Kitts, West Indies were genotypically and phenotypically characterized and revealed a high degree of similarity between a hypermucoviscosity (HMV) and non-HMV isolates. This work will allow for the development of diagnostic and treatment strategies for human and non-human primates.

Technical Abstract: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a zoonotic, Gram-negative member of the family Enterobacteriaceae and is the causative agent of nosocomial septicemic, pneumonic, and urinary tract infections. Recently, pathogenic strains of K. pneumoniae sharing a hypermucoviscosity (HMV) phenotype have been attributed to multisystemic abscessation in both human and nonhuman primates. Although K. pneumoniae is a well-recognized zoonotic agent, there is a lack of general information including adequate diagnostic methods or treatments for nonhuman primates. In an effort to increase the body of knowledge of this enigmatic pathogen, K. pneumoniae isolates from African green monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus) on the island of St. Kitts, West Indies were genotypically and phenotypically characterized. Genetic fingerprints generated by PCR mediated genomic fingerprinting, phenotypic characterization, and antimicrobial susceptibility all identified a high degree of similarity between the HMV and non-HMV K. pneumoniae isolates. The results obtained from this work will help establish a baseline for the development of efficacious diagnostic methods and treatment strategies for both human and nonhuman primates.