Klebsiella ornithinolytica is a very rare type of Klebsiella species isolated from human and environment and is currently reported to be the cause of bacteremia. However, there have been no data on the clinical implication of K. ornithinolytica bacteremia.

We have analyzed 9 cases of K. ornithinolytica bacteremia diagnosed at Ewha Womans Medical Center from 2003 to 2006. All available clinical and microbial data were analyzed.

All 9 cases were community acquired. The causes of bacteremia were hepatobiliary disease(66.7%), Primary bacteremia(22.2%) and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(11.1%). Underlying diseases were colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hepatobiliary disease. In 44.4% patients, there were no underlying diseases. Acute renal failure and shock occurred in 33.3% patients. All of the isolated strain were resistant to ampicillin, and only 1 case was resistant to cephalothin, piperacillin/tazobactam.

K. ornithinolytica bacteremia is commonly community acquired, especially in patients with hepatobiliary disease. Higher mortality was associated with acute renal failure and shock.