title: Beta-lactamase production in the upper respiratory tract flora.
abstract: In order to determine the recovery rate of species of the genera Haemophilus and Moraxella (including subgenus Branhamella) from the upper respiratory tract and the incidence of beta-lactamase production within these genera, cultures were made of nose and throat swab specimens and adenoid tissue in 50 children undergoing adenoidectomy. Haemophilus influenzae was isolated from 92% of the children. All children harboured strains of Haemophilus spp. and in 46%, at least one strain produced the TEM-1 beta-lactamase. Branhamella catarrhalis and/or Moraxella nonliquefaciens were isolated from 82% of the children and strains producing the BRO-1 beta-lactamase from 34%. Overall, TEM-1 and/or BRO-1 producing strains were recovered from 60% of the investigated patients. The beta-lactamase production was found to be transferable by conjugation within the respective genera. It is suggested that the apathogenic species may be a source of transferable determinants mediating beta-lactamase production in the upper respiratory tract.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006190:Haemophilus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009016:Moraxella / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000382:microbiology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000382:microbiology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D001618:beta-Lactamases