Frequency of Moraxella catarrhalis in Patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Khartoum State

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Moraxella catarrhalis in sputum specimens among patients with lower respiratory tract infection. A total of 200 sputum specimens collected from Khartoum state in Alshaab hospital during January to June 2011. Bacteriological analysis of sputum specimens were performed for Moraxella catarrhalis including inoculation on Sheep blood agar and on chocolate agar The identity of the isolates was confirmed by DNAse test, Tributyrin test and reduction of nitrate to nitrite. Susceptibility testing and ß-lactamase production were carried out for each isolate. Out of 200 sputum specimens; 2 (1%) Moraxella catarrhalis was recovered from patients with age more than 50 years. The two isolates produced β-lactamase and resistance to ampicillin. They were susceptible to Amoxyclav, Azithromycin, Ceftazidime Ceftriaxon, Cephalexin, Cephotaxime, Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin ,Cotrimoxazole and Erythromycin. This study showed that M. catarrhalis considered being one of important respiratory tract pathogen in adults particularly with age more than 50 years old. Since most strains produce ß-lactamase, antibiotic therapy should be guided by in-vitro susceptibility tests.