title: Beta-lactamase production in Branhamella catarrhalis isolated from lower respiratory tract secretions in Danish children: an increasing problem.
abstract: Findings in specimens from the lower respiratory tract of children were reviewed retrospectively in order to assess the rate of Branhamella catarrhalis and beta-lactamase production. B. catarrhalis was isolated in 139 of 756 samples (18.4%) in 1986 and 211 of 723 samples (29.2%) in 1989. Beta-lactamase production was found in 55.6% of B. catarrhalis strains in 1986 and 80.1% in 1989 (p less than 0.001). Prevalence of beta-lactamase in B. catarrhalis has now reached the same level in Europe as in the USA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aalborg Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ejlertsen
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Schønheyder
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thisted
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003718:Denmark; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D001618:beta-Lactamases