Septic cutaneous emboli revealing a severe case of Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess syndrome

Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess syndrome (KLAS) is characterized by bacteraemia, liver abscesses and metastatic infection caused by a hypervirulent strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae , usually belonging to the capsular serotype K1 or K2. Initially, KLAS was described in Eastern Asia; recently isolated cases have been reported from different parts of the world. Case presentation We describe the case of a woman with KLAS including meningeal, ocular and cutaneous metastatic infection and organ dysfunctions (coagulation abnormalities, thrombocytopenia and increased creatinine level). The identification of a hypermucoviscous strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae was possible by culture from one of the cutaneous emboli and subsequently confirmed by blood cultures. The patient fully recovered after abscess drainage and prolonged antibiotic treatment. Conclusion We have pointed out about the importance of sampling each septic focus in order to identify the aetiology of a disseminate infection.