Moraxella Catarrhalis: an emerging pathogen in bronchopulmunary infections

ABSTRACT: Background: Moraxella catarrhalis is a common inhabitant of human upper respiratory tract and has been isolated in respiratory tract infections such as COPD. It also even causes conjunctivitis Sinusitis, Meningitis, Otitis media, osteomyelitis, Endocarditis, etc. Objectives: The present study is undertaken to know various aspects of Moraxella infection among adults with bronchopulmanary infections & its antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Methods: A hospital based study was carried out among adult patients admitted to a tertiary care teaching hospital in Karnataka during the period of May 2007 to April 2010 with respiratory tract infection. A total of 912 early morning sputum samples was collected, processed with standard procedures and analyzed. Results: Moraxella catarrhalis was the third most important pathogen isolated (16.01%); majority of Moraxella isolates 46(31.51%) were from bronchopneumonia followed by chronic bronchitis 37 (25.34%), broncheactasis 37 (25.34%) and bronchial asthma 29 (19.86%). Moraxella Infection was predominant among males 114(78.08%) and in older age group i.e. 61-70years 33(22.60%) compared to 21-30 years age group 10(6.85%). All strains of Moraxella catarrhalis were sensitive to Tetracycline, Co-trimoxazole, Chloramphemicol, and Gentamicin, whereas 110(75.34%) were resistant to Penicillin, Ampicillin and Amoxycillin. Surprisingly all strains were resistant to Erythromicin; 37 (25.34%) were betalactamase positive. Conclusions: Moraxella is one of the emerging pathogen in bronchopulmanary infections. Beta lactamase producing strains signify its ability to produce antibiotic resistance resulting in therapeutic failure in future.