Moraxella catarrhalis

Moraxella catarrhalis, formerly also Neisseria catarrhalis and Branhamella catarrhalis, is part of the physiological flora of the upper respiratory tract. It is a conditioned pathogen causing inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tract.

Identification

 * microscopy: G− cocci to short rods
 * cultivation: blood agar, chocolate agar
 * tests: positive oxidase test, positive catalase test

Diseases
It causes inflammation of the upper respiratory tract in children (sinusitis, otitis media), and inflammation of the lower respiratory tract (pneumonia) in adults. It may be the cause of sepsis.

Therapy

 * erythromycin (now no longer registered for systemic treatment),
 * cotrimoxazole,
 * tetracyclines,
 * chloramphenicol.

Related articles

 * Moraxella species
 * Nonpathogenic Neisseria