Title: The Emergence and Importance of Moraxella Catarrhalis as Human Respiratory Tract Pathogen and its Antibiogram

Authors: Dr Nabamita Chaudhury, Dr Retina Paul, Dr R.N. Misra, Dr Paulami Ghosh, Dr Sankha Subhra Chaudhuri, Dr Sukanta Sen

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i4.75

Abstract

Background: Moraxella catarrhalis is a Gram-negative diplococcus, commonly found as a normal flora in the human upper respiratory tract. Recently, M. catarrhalis has emerged as an important human pathogen in respiratory tract.

Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted to isolate M.catarrhalis as potential pathogen of respiratory system and to determine the prevalence with underlying risk factors as well as to establish a proper antibiogram.

Methods: A prospective study of 1250of respiratory specimens, were carried out over a two years’ tenure. The identification was done by microscopic examination, culture characteristics, an array of biochemical reaction and Vitek 2 system. The antibiotic sensitivity test was carried out according to the Kirby - Bauer disc diffusion method and their zone size interpretation was carried out by National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Studies (NCCLS) guidelines.

Results: A total of 33 clinically significant M. Catarrhalis were isolated from the 372 culture positive samples. Most of the isolates were obtained from the patients who were diagnosed as pneumonia (39.39%). Moraxella cattarahalis showed good sensitivity to  almost all commonly used  antibiotics such as Aminoglycosides  (96.29%), Amoxycillin-clavulanic acid (93.11%), Ampicillin (92.59%)  and Azithromycin (92.59%).

Conclusion: Moraxella catarrhalis should be considered as significant emerging respiratory tract pathogen especially in elderly patients with underlying risk factors like diabetics mellitus.

Keywords: Moraxella catarrhalis, Pneumonia, Diabetics mellitus.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Retina Paul

Assistant professor, Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine and JNM Hospital,

Block A, Post Office Kalyani, Near Silpanchal Station, District Nadia, West Bengal 741235

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mobile: 9434009101