Progress in immunization against Klebsiella infections.

Nosocomial infections with Klebsiella spp. are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The ability of Klebsiella spp. readily to colonize hospitalized patients, complications in treatment of infections due to R-factor-acquired antibiotic resistance, and the high mortality rate in certain patient populations, point to the need for immunoprophylactic/immunotherapeutic agents for disease control. The potential for vaccination against Klebsiella spp. is discussed in light of recent developments concerning the pathogenesis of Klebsiella infections as relates to the identification of protective antigens as possible vaccine candidates.