Etiology:  Klebsiella oxytoca is a Gram-negative facultatively anaerobic non spore-forming rod. K. oxytoca has not been recognized as a primary pathogen.

Incidence:  The incidence of infection is moderate.

Transmission:  Transmission is fecal-oral or from direct contact.  K. oxytoca may be spread to animals by humans.

Clinical Signs:  Immunocompetent animals do not usually display clinical signs.  K. oxytoca is an opportunistic organism and infection may occur when there is an overgrowth of bacteria due to disruption of the gut flora in immunocompromised mice.  C3H/HeJZtm and C3H/HeJ mice which carry the Tlr4Lps-d allele may display signs including poor body condition, ruffled hair coat, otitis media, urogenital tract infections, pneumonia or abscesses [3].

Pathology:  Generally none, in susceptible mice, lesions are usually suppurative.

Diagnosis:  Diagnosis of Klebsiella oxytoca is made by culture.

3.            Bleich, A., et al., Klebsiella oxytoca: opportunistic infections in laboratory rodents. Lab Anim, 2008. 42(3): p. 369-75.