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[Moraxella catarrhalis in chronic and relapsing respiratory tract infections in children]

I K Volkov, L K Katosova, N Iu Shcherbakova

    Antibiotiki I Khimioterapiia = Antibiotics and Chemoterapy [Sic]
    |February 25, 2005
    PubMed

    Insights

    Moraxella catarrhalis is a common cause of respiratory infections in children, particularly those under one year old. Many strains exhibit antibiotic resistance, highlighting the need for effective treatment strategies.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
    • Microbiology
    • Respiratory Medicine

    Background:

    • Chronic and relapsing respiratory tract infections are significant health concerns in children.
    • Moraxella catarrhalis is an opportunistic pathogen increasingly recognized in pediatric respiratory infections.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of Moraxella catarrhalis in children with respiratory infections.
    • To identify risk factors and clinical associations of M. catarrhalis infections in pediatric patients.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective analysis of sputum samples from 700 children with respiratory infections (1996-2003).
    • Bacteriological isolation and identification of Moraxella catarrhalis.
    • Antibiotic susceptibility testing including beta-lactamase activity assessment.

    Main Results:

    • Moraxella catarrhalis was isolated from 5.5-9.7% of children with respiratory infections, ranking third in frequency after Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
    • Prevalence was highest in children under 1 year (4.5%) and in those with severe underlying conditions like congenital lung disease and bronchial asthma.
    • Most isolates demonstrated beta-lactamase activity, conferring resistance to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, and lincomycin, but remained susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanate, macrolides, cephalosporins, and levofloxacin.

    Conclusions:

    • Moraxella catarrhalis is a significant pathogen in pediatric respiratory infections, particularly in infants and children with severe lung conditions.
    • Antibiotic resistance is prevalent, necessitating susceptibility-guided therapy, with amoxicillin/clavulanate and macrolides showing good efficacy.

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