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Updated: Oct 9, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

[Prevalence of Moraxella catarrhalis colonization in asymptomatic carriers under 6 years of age]

B Leaños-Miranda1, M G Miranda-Novales, F Solórzano-Santos

  • 1Unidad de Investigación en Epidemiología Hospitalaria, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (CMN Siglo XXI, IMSS), México.

Salud Publica De Mexico
|March 29, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Moraxella catarrhalis upper respiratory tract colonization was found in 22.9% of children under six in Mexico City. Most strains produced beta-lactamase and were resistant to penicillin and ampicillin.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Moraxella catarrhalis is a common respiratory pathogen.
  • Understanding its colonization prevalence is crucial for pediatric respiratory health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of Moraxella catarrhalis colonization in young children.
  • To assess antibiotic resistance patterns of M. catarrhalis in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Cluster sampling of 604 children aged 2 months to 5 years in Mexico City.
  • Pharyngeal sample collection for M. catarrhalis identification.
  • Antibiotic susceptibility testing and beta-lactamase determination.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of M. catarrhalis colonization was 22.9% (130/604 children).
  • 75.4% of isolates produced beta-lactamase.
  • High resistance rates observed for penicillin (80%), ampicillin, and amoxicillin (70%).
  • No resistance detected against cefotaxime, imipenem, meropenem, and erythromycin.

Conclusions:

  • M. catarrhalis colonization prevalence is comparable to other respiratory pathogens.
  • Findings suggest a significant role for M. catarrhalis in pediatric respiratory infections in Mexico.
  • Further research is recommended to elucidate its etiological role.
Abstract

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