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Moraxella catarrhalis in acute laryngitis: infection or colonization?
C Hol1, C Schalén, C M Verduin
1Eijkman-Winkler Institute, University Hospital, Utrecht, Netherlands.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Moraxella catarrhalis strains causing acute laryngitis in adults are frequently resistant to complement, unlike those in children. This suggests Moraxella catarrhalis plays a key role in laryngitis pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Moraxella catarrhalis is a common bacterium found in the upper respiratory tract.
- Its role in acute laryngitis, particularly in adults, requires further investigation.
- Complement resistance is a known virulence factor for bacterial pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the complement-resistance phenotypes of Moraxella catarrhalis isolates from adult patients with acute laryngitis.
- To compare these phenotypes with those from healthy children.
Main Methods:
- Microliter serum bactericidal assay was used to determine complement resistance.
- Comparison of complement resistance between Moraxella catarrhalis isolates from adult laryngitis patients and pediatric carriers.
Main Results:
- 57% of Moraxella catarrhalis isolates from adult laryngitis patients exhibited complement resistance.
- Only 16% of isolates from healthy schoolchildren were complement-resistant.
- This difference was statistically significant (P < .001).
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of complement-resistant Moraxella catarrhalis in adults with acute laryngitis supports its role in disease pathogenesis.
- Complement resistance is a significant virulence-associated factor in Moraxella catarrhalis infections.
- Further research into M. catarrhalis virulence mechanisms in laryngitis is warranted.