Respiratory tract infections due to<i>Branhamella catarrhalis</i>: epidemiological data from Western Australia

Digiovanni, Cristina; Riley, Thomas V.; Hoyne, Gerard F.; Yeo, Rebecca Amani; Cooksey, Patricia

doi:10.1017/s0950268800067947

Cited by 33 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…In this study, M. catarrhalis was found to be the second most commonly isolated respiratory tract pathogen after nontypeable H. influenzae but ranking before S. pneumoniae. In addition, these and many other authors (62,64,69,192,208,251,252) demonstrated striking seasonality, with winter and spring being the periods with the greatest incidence of M. catarrhalis isolation. This pattern is not found with S. pneumoniae or H. influenzae (64,69).…”

Section: Bronchitis and Pneumoniamentioning

confidence: 56%

“…In addition, these and many other authors (62,64,69,192,208,251,252) demonstrated striking seasonality, with winter and spring being the periods with the greatest incidence of M. catarrhalis isolation. This pattern is not found with S. pneumoniae or H. influenzae (64,69). Preceding viral respiratory tract infection caused by respiratory syncytial virus, for example, could be a factor in the seasonal variations which have been observed with M. catarrhalis infections, although this hypothesis remains untested (69,229).…”

Section: Bronchitis and Pneumoniamentioning

confidence: 56%

“…This pattern is not found with S. pneumoniae or H. influenzae (64,69). Preceding viral respiratory tract infection caused by respiratory syncytial virus, for example, could be a factor in the seasonal variations which have been observed with M. catarrhalis infections, although this hypothesis remains untested (69,229).…”

Section: Bronchitis and Pneumoniamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many patients appear to be malnourished (252). A large percentage (Ͼ70%) are smokers or exsmokers (69). Men appear to be at greater risk than women, although this observation could be confounded by, for instance, smoking habits (12,59,69,108,182).…”

Section: Bronchitis and Pneumoniamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Moraxella catarrhalis: from Emerging to Established Pathogen

et al. 2002

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SUMMARY Moraxella catarrhalis (formerly known as Branhamella catarrhalis) has emerged as a significant bacterial pathogen of humans over the past two decades. During this period, microbiological and molecular diagnostic techniques have been developed and improved for M. catarrhalis, allowing the adequate determination and taxonomic positioning of this pathogen. Over the same period, studies have revealed its involvement in respiratory (e.g., sinusitis, otitis media, bronchitis, and pneumonia) and ocular infections in children and in laryngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia in adults. The development of (molecular) epidemiological tools has enabled the national and international distribution of M. catarrhalis strains to be established, and has allowed the monitoring of nosocomial infections and the dynamics of carriage. Indeed, such monitoring has revealed an increasing number of Β-lactamase-positive M. catarrhalis isolates (now well above 90%), underscoring the pathogenic potential of this organism. Although a number of putative M. catarrhalis virulence factors have been identified and described in detail, their relationship to actual bacterial adhesion, invasion, complement resistance, etc. (and ultimately their role in infection and immunity), has been established in a only few cases. In the past 10 years, various animal models for the study of M. catarrhalis pathogenicity have been described, although not all of these models are equally suitable for the study of human infection. Techniques involving the molecular manipulation of M. catarrhalis genes and antigens are also advancing our knowledge of the host response to and pathogenesis of this bacterial species in humans, as well as providing insights into possible vaccine candidates. This review aims to outline our current knowledge of M. catarrhalis, an organism that has evolved from an emerging to a well-established human pathogen.

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Section: Bronchitis and Pneumoniamentioning

confidence: 56%

Section: Bronchitis and Pneumoniamentioning

confidence: 56%

Section: Bronchitis and Pneumoniamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Bronchitis and Pneumoniamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Moraxella catarrhalis: from Emerging to Established Pathogen

et al. 2002

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“…Thus, there is good evidence to support the view that M. catarrhalis is a respiratory pathogen. Lower respiratory tract infection with M. catarrhalis is more likely to affect elderly patients and is more common in winter [31]. There is some evidence that, even in the absence of changes in laboratory technical or interpretive practices, the incidence of M. catarrhalis respiratory infection is increasing [32, 331. Although exacerbation of chronic bronchitis is the commonest manifestation of M. catarrhalis infection, pneumonia may also occur.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis - clinical and molecular aspects of a rediscovered pathogen

Enright

McKenzie

1997

Journal of Medical Microbiology

105

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Since its discovery at the end of the nineteenth century, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis has undergone several changes of nomenclature and periodic changes in its perceived status as either a commensal or a pathogen. Molecular analysis based on DNA hybridisation or 16s rDNA sequence comparisons has established its phylogenetic position as a member of the Moraxellaceae and shown that it is related more closely to Acinetobacter spp. than to the genus Neisseria in which it was placed formerly. However, confusion with phenotypically similar Neisseria spp. can occur in the routine diagnostic laboratory if appropriate identification tests are not performed. M. catarrhalis is now accepted as the third commonest pathogen of the respiratory tract after Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus injluenzae. It is a significant cause of otitis media and sinusitis in children and of lower respiratory tract infections in adults, especially those with underlying chest disease. Nosocomial spread of infection, especially within respiratory wards, has been reported. Invasive infection is uncommon, but analysis of reports for England and Wales between 1992 and 1995 revealed 89 cases of M. catarrhalis bacteraemia, with the peak incidence in children aged 1-2 years. Carriage rates of M. catarrhalis are high in children and in the elderly, but its role as a commensal organism has probably been overstated in the past. Approximately 90% of strains are now plactamase positive and, given that the first such strain was reported in 1976, this represents a dramatic increase in frequency over the last 20 years which has not been paralleled in any other species. The BRO-1 and BRO-2 P-lactamase enzymes of M. catarrhalis are found in other Moraxellaceae, but are not related to P-lactamases of any other species and their origin is therefore unknown. Molecular and typing studies have shown that the M. catarrhalis species is genetically heterogeneous and these methods have aided epidemiological investigation. Studies of factors that may be related to pathogenicity have shown the existence of three serotypes of lipooligosaccharide and the presence of fimbriae and a possible capsule. Some strains are serum-resistant, probably by virtue of interference with complement action, whilst transferrin-and lactoferrinbinding proteins enable the organism to obtain iron from its environment. An antibody response in humans to various M. catarrhalis antigens, including highly conserved outermembrane proteins, has been demonstrated. Increased understanding of the organism's pathogenic properties and the host response to it may help to identify suitable vaccine targets or lead to other strategies to prevent infection. Whilst it remains, at present, the third most important respiratory pathogen, the impact of immunisation strategies for other organisms may change this position. The speed with which M. catarrhalis acquired p-lactamase demonstrates the capacity of this organism to surprise us.

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