Significance of Moraxella catarrhalis as a causative organism of lower respiratory tract infections

Abstract

Background: Moraxella catarrhalis is an exclusively human pathogen that may be overlooked in culture because of its phenotypic similarity to commensal Neisseria. Indeed, beta lactamase producing isolates of M. catarrhalis appear to be wide spread, and this may play an important role in the therapy of infections, particularly in the treatment of mixed infections Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of M. catarrhalis as a pathogen in causing lower respiratory tract infection. Methods: This study was carried out on 200 patients who were diagnosed as having lower respiratory tract infection and admitted during the period of the research to chest unit of Tanta University hospitals, another 50 adult volunteer were considered as control group during the period from January 2014 to August 2014. All patients were subjected to the following assessment, full clinical history; their records were reviewed for name, age, sex, and special habits. Patients suspected to be suffering from lower respiratory tract infection were considered. Only sputum samples of high bacteriological quality were analyzed. All specimens were cultured. Result: M. catarrhalis is responsible for 11.5% of all cases of lower respiratory tract infection included in this study. Infection occurs more common in patients having underlying lung disease especially chronic pulmonary diseases. Conclusion: This study shows that when microbiological and clinical criteria are met, M. catarrhalis when isolated should be considered as a pathogen causing lower respiratory tract infections. M. catarrhalis, lower respiratory tract infections.

Keywords

• Respiratory infection
• M. catarrhalis
• Sputum culture