Crit Rev Microbiol. 2026 Mar 30:1-32. doi: 10.1080/1040841X.2026.2648208. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as a major global health threat, contributing significantly to neonatal sepsis, childhood mortality, and antibiotic-resistant hospital-acquired infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported the widespread detection of hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKP) strains carrying carbapenem resistance genes across all WHO regions, prompting a formal warning from the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System. Despite growing concerns, the mechanisms driving the enhanced pathogenicity and adaptability of these strains remain incompletely understood. Recent research has uncovered novel virulence factors and elucidated key adaptations enabling K. pneumoniae to thrive in diverse host tissues. This review synthesizes current knowledge on K. pneumoniae pathogenicity, focusing on virulence factors, immune evasion strategies, and phenotypic plasticity. Additionally, we explore emerging anti-virulence strategies as potential therapeutic interventions. By consolidating these insights, this review aims to guide future research and inform the development of new approaches to address this escalating public health challenge.
PMID:41910199 | DOI:10.1080/1040841X.2026.2648208
