Klebsiella pneumoniae K1 liver abscess and septic endophthalmitis in a U.S. resident

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae K1 is a major agent of hepatic abscess with metastatic disease in East Asia, with sporadic reports originating elsewhere. We report a case of abscess complicated by septic endophthalmitis caused by a wzyAKpK1-positive Klebsiella strain in a U.S. resident, raising concern for global emergence.

Fig 1

Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large hepatic abscess (arrow) with areas of central necrosis.

Fig 2

The Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate from this patient exhibited a hypermucoviscous phenotype, as shown by the positive “string test.” For scale, the internal diameter of the pictured inoculation loop is 3.8 mm.

Fig 3

B-scan ultrasonography of the right eye demonstrated subretinal abscess (A) and retinal detachment (B), indicated by arrows.