Antibiotic sensitivity pattern of Moraxella catarrhalis at a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Moraxella catarrhalis is a human-specific bacterium previously discounted as a simple commensal organism withonly limited pathogenic potential. This view has changed considerably and we now know that M. catarrhalis is associatedwith a range of disease states affecting both children and adults. A retrospective study was carried out to assess the clinical significance of  Moraxella catarrhalis (M. catarrhalis) isolated from sputum specimens received from patients seen during a  1year period. The isolation of M.catarrhalis should be considered signiicant in adult patients with lower respiratory tract infections and associated underlying risk factors. Since 70 % of the isolates showed penicillin resistance, treatment with appropriate antibiotics should be instituted.