Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of klebsiella. Magnification: 15,000x. Klebsiella is a genus of nonmotile, Gram-negative, oxidase-negative, rod-shaped bacteria with a prominent polysaccharide-based capsule. It is named after the German microbiologist Edwin Klebs (1834-1913). Klebsiella species are found everywhere in nature. Klebsiella organisms can lead to a wide range of disease states in humans, notably pneumonia, urinary tract infections, septicemia, meningitis, diarrhea, and soft tissue infections.