Klebsiella pneumoniae colonization in patients with spinal cord injury.

Klebsiella pneumoniae colonization of 53 patients with spinal cord injury was studied. Cultures of multiple body sites from patients, the environment, food, and hospital personnel were obtained. K. pneumonaie was cultured from one or more body sites in 46% of male patients. Significant bacteriuria was found in 10% of male patients. Positive cultures of the urethra and perineum for K. pneumoniae were significantly associated with the use of the external condom catheter (p less than 0.05, Fisher's exact test). K. pneumoniae colonization increased with length of stay in the hospital. Serotype 64, the predominant serotype found, was isolated only from patients who had been in the hospital for at least 4 wk and primarily in those patients using the external condom catheter. Urinary drainage bags were frequently colonized with K. pneumoniae at a time when the patients did not have significant bacteriuria. Colonized male patients were found to be the primary reservoir of K. pneumoniae and may serve as the major source for cross-contamination.