Question

Hello please help  – How and what specials stains you would use to identify bacteria klebsiella pneumoniae?

Answer 1

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram negative, rod shaped bacterium that can cause lung and urinary tract infections. It causes nosocomical pneumonia in humans and can even enter the blood stream leading to sepsis. Klebsiella pneumoniae possess a polysaccharide capsule that surrounds the cell wall and can be identified based upon the presence of this thick capsule. This capsule can be identified by staining the bacterium with crystal violet and Indian ink. Crystal violet is taken up by the bacterial cell, staining it purple, whereas the Indian ink will stain the background dark. The bacterium will appear as purple cells over a dark background surrounded by a colorless capsule( as it does not takes up the stain).