Klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis with unusual cutaneous presentation of generalized pustulosis

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a well-known Gram-negative pyogenic pathogen that can cause various types of infection. Liver abscesses caused by community-acquired K. pneumoniae infection are commonly reported in Taiwan, especially in people with diabetes mellitus. Meningococcal bacteraemia can present as disseminated pustules and leucocytoclastic vasculitis, but it has rarely been seen in patients with K. pneumoniae infection. To date, there are only two reports in the English literature about K. pneumoniae bacteraemia presenting as generalized pustulosis. We report a third case, occurring in a Taiwanese woman with a community-acquired K. pneumoniae liver abscess leading to sepsis and generalized pustules, complicated by cutaneous leucocytoclastic vasculitis.