Klebsiella pneumoniae and type 3 fimbriae: nosocomial infection, regulation and biofilm formation

Future Microbiol. 2012 Aug;7(8):991-1002. doi: 10.2217/fmb.12.74.

Abstract

The Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae is responsible for causing a spectrum of nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Globally, K. pneumoniae is a frequently encountered hospital-acquired opportunistic pathogen that typically infects patients with indwelling medical devices. Biofilm formation on these devices is important in the pathogenesis of these bacteria, and in K. pneumoniae, type 3 fimbriae have been identified as appendages mediating the formation of biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces. The factors influencing the regulation of type 3 fimbrial gene expression are largely unknown but recent investigations have indicated that gene expression is regulated, at least in part, by the intracellular levels of cyclic di-GMP. In this review, we have highlighted the recent studies that have worked to elucidate the mechanism by which type 3 fimbrial expression is controlled and the studies that have established the importance of type 3 fimbriae for biofilm formation and nosocomial infection by K. pneumoniae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Catheter-Related Infections
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology
  • Cross Infection / microbiology*
  • Cyclic GMP / analogs & derivatives
  • Cyclic GMP / metabolism
  • Fimbriae, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Klebsiella Infections / microbiology*
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / pathogenicity*
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / physiology*
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Virulence Factors
  • bis(3',5')-cyclic diguanylic acid
  • Cyclic GMP