Isolation of spheroplastic forms of Haemophilus influenzae from sputum in conventionally treated chronic bronchial sepsis using selective medium supplemented with N-acetyl-D-glucosamine: possible reservoir for re-emergence of infection.
The isolation rate of Haemophilus influenzae from patients with persistent production of purulent sputum has been increased by the routine use of a selective medium. Nevertheless, some purulent sputum still fails to yield a pathogen. The selective medium was supplemented with N-acetyl-D-glucosamine to encourage primary isolation of colony forming, spheroplastic H influenzae, which reverted to normal forms on subculture. On the basis of in vitro experiments it is postulated that these spheroplastic forms of H influenzae may be induced by inadequate antimicrobial chemotherapy and may be responsible for re-emergence of symptoms in these patients during or shortly after stopping chemotherapy.
D000117:Acetylglucosamine / Q000378:metabolism; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000382:microbiology; D003470:Culture Media; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013104:Spheroplasts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*
D003470:Culture Media; D000658:Amoxicillin; D000117:Acetylglucosamine