Huntington Beach, California, June 27, 2025
Klebsiella is a type of gram-negative bacteria (GNB) that can cause different types of serious healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). These can include pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, and meningitis.
Increasingly, Klebsiella bacteria have developed antimicrobial resistance, most recently to the class of antibiotics known as carbapenems, warns the he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In healthcare settings, Klebsiella infections can occur among sick patients who are receiving treatment for other conditions. The CDC lists patients whose care requires devices like ventilators or intravenous catheters, and patients who are taking long courses of certain antibiotics, as being most at risk for Klebsiella infections.
“In many healthy individuals, Klebsiella may be found in the human intestines where it doesn’t typically cause disease, and in human feces,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Unfortunately, it can be spread in healthcare settings through person-to-person contact or less commonly, by contamination of the environment reports the CDC. Patients may also be exposed to Klebsiella when they have contact with contaminated medical devices or equipment. To help prevent these types of infections, healthcare professionals should follow infection control procedures. These include hand hygiene, wearing gowns and gloves when entering rooms where patients with Klebsiella–related illnesses are housed, and adhering to strict cleaning and disinfection procedures.”
LA Testing, with multiple laboratories across California, offers laboratory services and sampling supplies to support infection control and indoor environmental quality programs that test for Klebsiella and a broad range of other pathogens. Last year, they sponsored an educational video about Klebsiella and potential exposure risks in healthcare settings that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/inYfYcISTQI
To learn more about Klebsiella or other testing and sampling resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794.
About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.