Klebsiella variicola

A versatile bacterial species with diverse ecological roles and clinical significance

Klebsiella variicola is a Gram-negative bacterium that was first described as a plant endophyte but now is recognized as a human pathogen being a cause of bloodstream and urinary tract infections. Moreover, it can colonize diverse environments, including soil, water, plants, and animals demonstrating remarkable ecological adaptability.

Bacterial Overview

Morphology: Gram-negative rod

Motility: Non-motile

Temperature range: 11-41°C

Colony morphology: Circular, convex, smooth

Plants

Acts as an endophyte in most cases, living within plant tissues without causing disease and it has been also part of the rhizosphere of some plants. However, it has been described that in certain plants it acts as a pathogen.

Humans

Is an opportunistic pathogen causing various infections

Animals

Found as both pathogen and commensal in various species

Insects

Forms symbiotic relationships with certain insect species

Water

Persists in aquatic environments

Soil

Found in terrestrial ecosystems

Recent Publications

2025

Complete genome sequences of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella quasipneumoniae, and Klebsiella variicola clinical isolates from an epidemiology study

Peralta-Macotela P, Flores-Monzón B, Lira de León KI, Sánchez-Tusie AA, Rodríguez-Medina N, Alvarado-Delgado A, Aguilar-Vera E, Zumaya-Estrada F, Garza-Ramos U, García-Gutiérrez MC.

Microbiol Resour Announc. 2025 Feb 12:e0106024. doi:10.1128/mra.01060-24

Klebsiella variicola

Bacterial Overview

Plants

Humans

Animals

Insects

Water

Soil

Recent Publications

Complete genome sequences of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella quasipneumoniae, and Klebsiella variicola clinical isolates from an epidemiology study

Complete genome sequence of multidrug-resistant and NDM-producing Klebsiella variicola clinical isolates

Comprehensive study reveals phenotypic heterogeneity in Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex isolates

Exploring the environmental traits and applications of Klebsiella variicola

Klebsiella variicola Reference Strain F2R9 (ATCC BAA-830) Genome Sequence

A Klebsiella variicola Plasmid Confers Hypermucoviscosity-Like Phenotype and Alters Capsule Production and Virulence.

Klebsiella variicola: an emerging pathogen in humans.

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of Klebsiella spp. isolates causing community-acquired infections.

Genome misclassification of Klebsiella variicola and Klebsiella quasipneumoniae isolated from plants, animals and humans.

Klebsiella variicola and Klebsiella quasipneumoniae genomic analysis provides insights into their capacity to adapt to clinical and plant settings.

Hypervirulence and hypermucoviscosity: Two different but complementary Klebsiella spp. phenotypes?

Identification and Characterization of Imipenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Susceptible Klebsiella variicola Isolates Obtained from the Same Patient.

Draft genome sequences of the Klebsiella variicola plant isolates.

Draft genome sequence of the first hypermucoviscous Klebsiella variicola clinical isolate.

Development of a multiplex-PCR probe system for proper identification of Klebsiella variicola.