Klebsiella oxytoca strain NCTC11355

Klebsiella oxytoca strain NCTC11355 is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium classified as a facultative anaerobe and a chemoheterotroph, utilizing organic compounds as its energy source. It has a single replicon and is non-motile, despite the presence of flagella. The optimal growth temperature for this strain is 37°C, fitting within the mesophilic temperature range. This bacterium has been identified in a variety of habitats, indicating its versatility and adaptability in different environments. Notably, K. oxytoca strain NCTC11355 can infect multiple hosts, including Homo sapiens, Metazoa, and various plants and animals such as Triticum aestivum (wheat), Ovis aries (sheep), and Tenebrio molitor (mealworm). This wide host range suggests that K. oxytoca may play diverse ecological roles and interact with various biological systems. Clinically, K. oxytoca is associated with several health issues, particularly in humans, such as septicaemia, urinary tract infections, and antibiotic-associated conditions like hemorrhagic colitis and diarrhoea. Its role in nosocomial infections, including bronchopneumonia and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), highlights its significance in healthcare settings. The presence of K. oxytoca in both human and environmental contexts illustrates its potential impact on health and disease, emphasizing the importance of understanding its ecology and pathogenicity to develop effective management and treatment strategies.