klebsiella
C2Technical/Medical
Definition
Meaning
A genus of rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria, some species of which can cause serious infections in humans.
The term is used both for the genus itself and for individual bacteria belonging to it. It is often mentioned in medical contexts concerning hospital-acquired infections like pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and septicemia, particularly the species Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a singular noun referring to the genus or as a plural noun (klebsiellae or klebsiellas) for multiple bacteria. It is a highly specific taxonomic and medical term with no casual, everyday use.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciation follows the same scientific conventions. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
None beyond the scientific/medical context. It carries the same clinical, serious connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally rare outside medical and microbiological fields in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [sample/test] revealed/cultured/identified Klebsiella.The patient was infected with/diagnosed with/has Klebsiella.Klebsiella is resistant to/sensitive to [antibiotic].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in microbiology, medical, and biomedical research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A patient might hear it from a doctor explaining a diagnosis.
Technical
The primary context. Used in clinical diagnostics, hospital epidemiology, medical charting, and pharmaceutical research.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The klebsiella isolate was sent for further testing.
- A klebsiella outbreak was contained by the infection control team.
American English
- The Klebsiella culture showed resistance.
- A Klebsiella outbreak was contained by the infection control team.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The doctor said the infection was caused by a bacterium called Klebsiella.
- Some Klebsiella bacteria have become resistant to common antibiotics.
- Klebsiella pneumoniae is a leading cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia and poses a significant challenge due to its increasing antibiotic resistance.
- The research focused on the plasmid-mediated resistance mechanisms in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella isolates.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'lab cell' (sounds like Kleb-si-ella) that causes illness; a bacterial cell studied in a lab.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BACTERIUM IS AN OPPORTUNISTIC INVADER (commonly described as 'colonizing', 'infecting', 'taking hold').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally. It is a proper scientific name used internationally. The Russian term is "клебсиелла" (klebsiella), a direct transliteration.
- Avoid confusing it with more general Russian terms like "бактерия" or "палочка" in formal medical contexts where specificity is required.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'Klebsiela', 'Klebsielia'.
- Mispronunciation: putting the stress on the first syllable (KLEB-si-ella) instead of the third (kleb-si-EL-la).
- Using it as a general term for any infection.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'klebsiella' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Some Klebsiella species can be part of the normal flora in human intestines, but they can become pathogenic, especially in healthcare settings or in immunocompromised individuals.
The standard pronunciation is /ˌklɛbziˈɛlə/, with the primary stress on the third syllable: kleb-si-EL-la.
Yes, but treatment can be difficult. Many strains have developed resistance to multiple antibiotics, making some infections very challenging to treat and requiring last-resort drugs.
The genus is named after the German-Swiss microbiologist Edwin Klebs (1834–1913), who made significant contributions to bacteriology.