[Branhamella catarrhalis in neonatal pulmonary infectious pathology]

Bronchopulmonary infections has been described for the most part in adults. ORL and upper respiratory tract infections are encountered in children. In neonates, only conjunctivitis have been reported. In their report, the authors describes the first cases of bronchopulmonary infections due to Branhamella Catarrhalis in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Three cases are described in which this bacteria has been isolated in bronchial secretions and in the culture of the nasotracheal tube. Clinical and biological features were not specific. Only orosomucoid serum level was increased. A favourable outcome was obtained by macrolides. Epidemiological survey permitted the isolation of Branhamella Catarrhalis in one of the nurse who had taken care of the neonates. Otherwise, these infections occurs in immunologically compromised hosts. Hyaline membrane disease appears most likely as an auspicious factor.