E.coli vs Klebsiella: Difference and Comparison

The Enterobacteriaceae family includes Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli, both of which are frequent causes of population and clinic infections and have substantial antibiotic resistance.

Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia are not only members of the commensal gut flora, but they are also prevalent highly infectious that are frequently involved in the urinary system and circulatory diseases [7, 8].

They are commonly found to have ESBL and pAmpC-encoding genes.

Key Takeaways

  1. Both are gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria, but E. coli primarily inhabits the human gut, while Klebsiella is commonly found in the environment.
  2. E. coli can cause food poisoning and urinary tract infections, whereas Klebsiella is responsible for pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and wound infections.
  3. Klebsiella has higher antibiotic resistance levels than E. coli, making treating it more challenging.

E.coli vs Klebsiella

E. coli (Escherichia coli) is a type of bacteria that is commonly found in the human gut and feces. Some strains of E. coli can cause food poisoning and other illnesses. Klebsiella is a type of bacterium that can cause infections in humans. Klebsiella are also resistant to antibiotics, making them difficult to treat. 

E.coli vs Klebsiella

Escherichia coli is a spherical bacterium of the collective Enterobacteriaceae as well as the category Escherichia. It is classified as a Gram-negative, nonsporulating, aerotolerant autonomous entity, chemoheterotrophic bacteria.

It is a component of the normal microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract and may be found in endothermic guts. The majority of the species’ variants are safe, however, there are several serotypes that might cause significant health concerns.

Klebsiella is a species of non-motile as well as a rod-shaped bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae group. They have Gram-negative chambers that are heterotrophic and hypoxic, as well as a substantial disaccharide exterior.

Klebsiella organisms are widespread and may be discovered in the environment, fluids, plants, and even mammalian. A few organisms fix nitrogen associatively.

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Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonE.coliKlebsiella
InfectionThe primary cause of E. coli infections is a fecal-oral transfer of resistant microorganisms.The majority of Klebsiella infections are the result of tainted intrusive hospital devices.
IncubationE. coli hatching duration spans from 1 to 10 days, with the average being 3–4 days.Klebsiella has an incubation time of 1 to 6 weeks.
TreatmentTo prevent dehydration, the patient should relax and consume enough fluids.Klebsiella is known for its multidrug resistance.
RankE. coli is a kind of bacteria.Klebsiella is a facultative anaerobic bacteria.
DefinitionEscherichia coli is a pleomorphic bacterium of the kinship Enterobacteriaceae and the class Escherichia.Klebsiella is an Enterobacteriaceae member of family of pipe bacteria.
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What is E.coli?

E. coli (Escherichia coli) is a bacteria that lives in the gastrointestinal tract. It’s also found in the gastrointestinal tract of some animals.

The overwhelming amount of E. coli infections are harmless and may even improve the health of your upper gastrointestinal system.

While many people identify E. coli with foodborne illness, other forms of the bacteria may also lead to pneumonia and bladder tract illnesses. In fact, E. coli is responsible for 75 to 95 percent of pelvic inflammatory disease.

E.coli is a typical intestinal resident because that’s how it enters the urinary system. 

Some types of E. coli get you ill by generating a toxic substance Shiga. This toxin affects the wall of your gut. STEC, which translates for “Shiga toxin-producing E. coli,” pertains to the E. coli genotypes that generate the poison.

One particularly dangerous strain, O157:H7, can cause severe illness. It produces cramping, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. 

It can also end up causing potentially fatal symptoms. In most cases, healthy persons who become contaminated with E. coli feel well within a week.

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However, some patients suffer from a dangerous consequence known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome, which damages the kidneys. This is more probable to appear in the elderly and children.

What is Klebsiella?

These frequent types are non-harmful. They frequently reside in your bowels without causing any problems. However, Klebsiella pneumonia could be deadly if it spreads to other regions of your system, particularly if you are already unwell.

They have the potential to evolve into “superbugs,” which are nearly hard to combat with standard antibiotics.

The microorganisms can cause pneumonia, contaminate your wounds or blood, and create other dangerous complications.

Infections are uncommon in healthy persons because their immunological systems are robust enough to fight off microorganisms. 

These microorganisms do not circulate in the air. To become ill, you must have direct touch. One method would be to use unclean hands to make contact with a wound on your skin.

The majority of infections occur in health facilities, care homes, and other settings where there are a large number of sick individuals. 

Klebsiella pneumonia can also infect other sections of your body. Your medical wound, for example, might be contaminated. Klebsiella infections are deadly, therefore doctors immediately begin therapy with antibiotics.

Indicators alone cannot determine whether klebsiella is to blame. So your physician will examine your spat, plasma, pee, or other bodily fluids to determine which insect is to a fault.

klebsiella

Main Differences Between E.coli and Klebsiella

  1. Viral types of E. coli can cause urinary incontinence, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, newborn meningitis, and Crohn’s disease. Genital system diseases can be caused by aggressive Klebsiella bacteria, as well as pneumonia, encephalopathy, septic shock, soft tissue infections, diarrhea, and other complications.
  2. The fecal-oral transmission of virulence genes is the chief problem of E. coli outbreaks. The employment of contaminated implantable medical equipment causes the overwhelming number of Klebsiella outbreaks.
  3. Inconsequential variants of E. coli produce vitamin K2 and protect the stomach against harmful bacterial invasion. Klebsiella is a beneficial bacteria for plants because of its capacity to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.
  4. Klebsiella is a genus, but E. coli is a species.
  5. E. coli is found in the guts of endothermic animals. Klebsiella species are quite common and may be found in the environment, liquids, trees, and pets.
Difference Between E.coli and Klebsiella
References
  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196655311012612
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002962915325015
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Piyush Yadav
Piyush Yadav

Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.

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