klebsiella

[ kleb-zee-el-uh, klep-see- ]
/ ˌklɛb ziˈɛl ə, ˌklɛp si- /

noun Bacteriology.

any of several rod-shaped, aerobic bacteria of the genus Klebsiella, certain species of which, as K. pneumoniae, are found in the respiratory, intestinal, and genitourinary tracts of humans and animals and are sometimes pathogenic.

Origin of klebsiella

< New Latin (1885), after E. Klebs; see -ella

British Dictionary definitions for klebsiella

klebsiella
/ (ˌklɛbzɪˈɛlə) /

noun

a Gram-negative bacteria found in the respiratory, intestinal, and urinogenital tracts of humans and animals, which can cause pneumonia and urinary infections

Word Origin for klebsiella

C20: after Edwin Klebs (1834–913), German bacteriologist

Medical definitions for klebsiella

Klebsiella
[ klĕb′zē-ĕlə ]

n.

A genus of bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae containing nonmotile, gram-negative, frequently encapsulated rods that are arranged singly, in pairs, or in short chains. It includes some human pathogens.