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Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis: its isolation in the respiratory secretions of adult patients

Ferrer Marcellés A, Martínez Ojeda E, Falcó Ferrer V, de la Torre Tejedor E, González Fuente T

Anales de medicina interna (Madrid, Spain : 1984), 1997

52 participants

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We have designed a retrospective study in order to know the clinical significance of the isolation of Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis (MC) in respiratory specimens of adult hospitalized patients.

METHODS: We performed a Gram stain and culture on blood-agar, MacConkey media and quantitative culture in chocolate-agar to all respiratory samples. In patients with a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia BCYE-alpha was added. During 2 years (1992-1993) MC was isolated in respiratory specimens from 52 patients. We revised the clinical history of all these patients.

RESULTS: MC was isolated in 60 respiratory specimens (sputum and/or tracheobronchial aspirates) from 52 patients. The Gram stain showed gram-negative cocci in 77% and gram-positive cocci in 17% of the cases. MC grew in pure culture in 28 specimens (46.6%). In 23% of cases MC was isolated with Streptococcus pneumoniae and in 21% with Haemophilus influenzae. Fifty-two stocks (86.6%) produced beta-lactamase. Twelve patients had a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia, 8 of them had an underlying chronic respiratory disease. Other 24 patients with an underlying chronic respiratory disease had a bronchial infection as a cause of exacerbation of their respiratory disease. Seven patients without an underlying chronic respiratory disease had a clinical episode of acute bronchitis. Finally, in 9 patients the isolation of MC was considered a colonization.

CONCLUSIONS: In 17% cases MC was identified as a gram-positive cocci in…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 52 participants or records.

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