title: Clinical features of patients with beta-lactamase producing Haemophilus influenzae isolated from sputum.
abstract: Ampicillin resistance amongst isolates of Haemophilus influenzae is of increasing concern but its clinical impact is unclear. We performed a retrospective study of 34 hospital patients with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) caused by beta-lactamase positive (beta+) H. influenzae and compared these with 34 control patients with LRTI caused by beta-lactamase negative (beta-) strains. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was the most common underlying condition in both groups (beta+ 23/24, beta- 25/34). A recent course of antibiotics, especially ampicillin/amoxycillin, was significantly (P < 0.05) more common in the beta+ group (beta+ 17/34, beta- 3/34). Other pathogens were isolated more frequently in the beta+ group (beta+ 10/34, beta- 4/34). There was no difference in outcome between the two groups.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Infection Unit, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Humphreys
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000668:Ampicillin Resistance; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012907:Smoking; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001618:beta-Lactamases