Final answer:
Klebsiella pneumoniae is resistant to stomach acid primarily due to its protective polysaccharide capsule which hinders phagocytosis, making it harder for the stomach's defenses to neutralize it.
Step-by-step explanation:
Klebsiella pneumoniae, a type of bacterium, can be hard for stomach acid to destroy because of its protective polysaccharide capsule. This thick capsule makes it more resistant to the highly acidic environment in the stomach by preventing the bacterium from being easily ingested and killed by phagocytic cells. This characteristic of Klebsiella contributes to its pathogenicity and its ability to cause disease. Additionally, K. pneumoniae is often multidrug resistant, further complicating treatment, and it can be frequently fatal even with antibiotic intervention, such as aminoglycoside and cephalosporin, which are not always effective.