Klebsiella pneumoniae: A growing threat in the era of antimicrobial resistance

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that causes a variety of infections, particularly in hospitals. The growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance in K. pneumoniae strains has heightened its clinical significance and threatens patient outcomes. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem by disrupting healthcare systems and influencing antibiotic use practices. The purpose of this review article is to examine the evolving threat of K. pneumoniae in the context of antibiotic resistance. Beyond antibiotic resistance, the review also explores epidemiology, virulence factors, patient risk factors, and treatment strategies for Klebsiella infections, offering a comprehensive perspective on the multifaceted challenges posed by this opportunistic pathogen in the healthcare settings. • Klebsiella pneumoniae virulence and resistance pose major challenges in clinical and hospital environments. • Genomic analysis reveals multidrug resistance and hypervirulent traits among diverse isolates. • K. pneumoniae coinfections are frequent in critically ill COVID-19 patients during hospitalization. • Early antibiotic use in COVID-19 may reduce coinfections but increases antimicrobial resistance. • Novel strategies like PDT, phage therapy, and vaccines show potential but need further validation.