Life threatening Branhamella catarrhalis pneumonia in young infants.
Branhamella catarrhalis is a common nasopharyngeal commensal organism but is also a recognised pathogen. Lower respiratory tract infections caused by this organism have been reported in adults but not, to our knowledge, in otherwise healthy infants. Two infants, born prematurely, suffered near fatal pneumonia. Branhamella catarrhalis was the only microbial pathogen isolated in each case. We suggest that initial antibiotic therapy for severe pneumonia in young infants should be tailored to cover B. catarrhalis infection.
Dyson
C
C
Department of Microbiology, East Birmingham Hospital, Bordesley Green, U.K.
Poonyth
H D
HD
Watkinson
M
M
Rose
S J
SJ
D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000382:microbiology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D012307:Risk Factors