title: Isolation of Moraxella catarrhalis from sputum specimens of Malaysian patients.
abstract: Moraxella catarrhalis has gained reputation as a pathogen in the lower respiratory tract especially in patients with underlying chronic lung diseases. It is considered significant when isolated from sputum specimens of adults with respiratory tract infections. A study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Moraxella catarrhalis isolated in sputum specimens and beta-lactamase production of these isolates. Sputum specimens sent to the Bacteriology division, Institute for Medical Research from April 1990 until April 1993 were screened for Moraxella catarrhalis. A total of 1678 sputum specimens were processed and Moraxella catarrhalis was isolated from 15 (0.89%) of the sputum specimens. Six out of 15 (40%) were isolated from patients with chronic lung disease. Eight out of 15 (47%) were beta-lactamase producers. Moraxella catarrhalis isolated in good-quality sputum must not be disregarded and should be looked for especially in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Beta-lactamase production should be tested on all isolates so that appropriate treatment can be given. All the isolates in this study were sensitive to cotrimoxazole.
authors.affiliation: Division of Bacteriology, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Cheong
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Tahir
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D045828:Moraxellaceae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000494:pharmacology; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D001618:beta-Lactamases