title: Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis.
abstract: Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis is now a well-recognized pathogen in lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in the setting of chronic lung disease. The ability to produce beta-lactamase, which now characterizes most clinical strains, appears to be a recently acquired trait. The most common clinical syndrome caused by this organism is exacerbation of chronic bronchitis; this syndrome has been well described in Europe, Japan, and the United States, particularly from centers with a large elderly population with chronic lung disease. The syndrome of pneumonia is less common, and suppurative complications and bacteremia are rare.
authors.affiliation: Texas Tech Regional Academic Health Center, El Paso.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verghese
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Berk
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016870:Neisseriaceae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D013577:Syndrome; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001618:beta-Lactamases