Stool metagenome analysis of patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess and their domestic partners

Abstract

Objectives: Hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumoniae is an emerging cause of community-acquired liver abscess. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hypermucoviscous strains could be shared among households. Methods: The clinical K. pneumoniae isolates from a cohort of 24 patients with Klebsiella liver abscess were genotyped, and the stool metagenomes of the index patients and their cohabiting domestic partners were analyzed. Results: K. pneumoniae was identified in 33% of index patient stools, and one index patient's clinical isolate was identified in their domestic partner's stool. Conclusions: This could represent a transmission event or could represent exposure to a common environmental source. © 2021 The Authors