The key difference between Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae is that Klebsiella pneumoniae is gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium while Streptococcus pneumoniae are gram-positive, nonmotile, and nonsporulating oval or spherical shaped bacterium.
Both Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae are two different bacteria that cause pneumonia, and several other types of infections. Both types of bacteria are facultative anaerobes that are non-motile. Since both these bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, it is difficult to treat their infections.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Klebsiella pneumoniae
3. What is Streptococcus pneumoniae
4. Similarities Between Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae
5. Side by Side Comparison – Klebsiella pneumoniae vs Streptococcus pneumoniae in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Klebsiella pneumoniae?
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram-negative, non-motile rod-shaped bacterium that is encapsulated and lactose-fermenting. Moreover, K. pneumonia is a facultative anaerobic bacterium found in the normal flora of the mouth, skin, and intestines. This bacterium causes different types of infections, including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, and meningitis. The most common condition caused by K. pneumonia is pneumonia. Pneumonia caused by K. pneumoniae can bring complications such as bacteremia, lung abscesses, and the formation of an empyema. It is difficult to treat K. pneumoniae infections since only a few antibiotics are effective against this bacterium.
The most important virulent factor of K. pneumonia is the polysaccharide capsule of the organism. Moreover, their lipopolysaccharides that coat the outer surface is another virulent factor. Generally, healthy people do not get K. pneumonia infections. Immuno-compromised people are susceptible to infections easily.
Figure 01: Klebsiella pneumonia
K. pneumoniae lives in the soil as well. It is able to fix nitrogen under anaerobic conditions. Hence, it is used in agriculture, and it has shown significant results in increasing crop yield and vegetative growth.
What is Streptococcus pneumoniae?
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a gram-positive and facultative anaerobic bacterium. They occur as diplococci, typically described as lancet-shaped. Moreover, S. pneumoniae is catalase-negative and α-hemolytic. S. pneumoniae is a normal flora of the respiratory tract. But its invasion results in pneumonia. S pneumoniae also causes meningitis, and sometimes occult bacteremia. The virulent factor of S. pneumoniae is the polysaccharide capsule, which protects the bacterium against phagocytosis. S. pneumonia has more than 85 antigenic types based on the capsule antigens.
Figure 02: S. pneumoniae
Penicillin is a commonly used antibiotic for S. pneumoniae infections. But, some strains have developed resistance against penicillin. Hence, multiple antibiotics are prescribed for S. pneumoniae infections. Furthermore, there is a vaccine available for S. pneumoniae infections.
What are the Similarities Between Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae?
- Both are non-motile bacteria.
- Also, they are facultative anaerobic.
- Besides, the most common condition caused by both types of bacteria is pneumonia.
- They cause infections in humans
What is the Difference Between Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae?
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium. In contrast, Streptococcus pneumoniae is gram-positive, non-motile, and non-sporulating oval or spherical shaped bacterium. So, this is the key difference between Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Furthermore, Klebsiella pneumoniae causes pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, and meningitis, while Streptococcus pneumoniae causes pneumonia, meningitis, and sometimes occult bacteremia.
Moreover, Klebsiella pneumoniae is a normal flora of the mouth, skin, and intestines, while Streptococcus pneumoniae is a normal flora of the respiratory tract. Most importantly, Klebsiella pneumoniae fixes nitrogen in the soil while Streptococcus pneumoniae cannot fix nitrogen.
Below infographic summarizes the difference between Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Summary – Klebsiella pneumoniae vs Streptococcus pneumoniae
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram-negative, encapsulated, non-motile bacterium. The most common cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia is caused by K. pneumonia. In contrast, Streptococcus pneumoniae is a gram-positive diplococcus that is a facultative anaerobic bacterium. So, this is the key difference between Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae.