title: Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis bacteremia in children. A report of two patients and review of the literature.
abstract: We report two cases of Moraxella catarrhalis (M. catarrhalis) bacteremia in apparently healthy children. One patient had bilateral otitis media and the other had pharyngitis and sinusitis; both patients had uncomplicated clinical courses. A literature review revealed 22 reported cases of M. catarrhalis bacteremia in children, 14 (63%) of which occurred in patients who had no identified underlying condition. Eight (36%) cases were seen in children who were immunocompromised. Nine (40%) patients presented with either purpura, petechia, or a maculopapular rash. M. catarrhalis is well known as a respiratory pathogen, but it has not been recognized as a common cause of unsuspected bacteremia in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California 92134-5000, USA.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Shope
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Waecker
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Lanningham
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D016870:Neisseriaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents