STUDY OF THE PREVALENCE OF MORAXELLA (BRANHAMELLA) CATARRHALIS IN THE PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION

Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis is a gram negative diplococcus. This organism is an important pathogen for otitis media, sinusitis in children and lower respiratory tract infection and bronchitis in adults. The aim of this study was investigation of prevalence rate of this bacterium in patients with respiratory infection.The lavages of the 137 patients aged 15-85 years old, who were suffering from lower respiratory tnact infection were collected by bronchoscopy. Specimens were cultured on blood agar and incubated at 37c for 48 hours. Gram-stain, oxidase and DNAse tests were done on the suspected colonies and for confirmation, sugar tests of maltose, glucose, sucrose, and lactose were performed. Colonies were positive for oxidase and DNAse, and were able to ferment sucrose, were identified as Moraxella catarrhalis.Majority of patients (47.4%) were seen in the female group of 46-55 years old. And 38.8% were in the male, group of 65-75 years old. On the based of cultureing of lavages, 4 (2.9%) of isolated were identified as M.catarrhalis. 3 strains were isolated from females and 1 from males. All the culture positive patients, were over 40 years old.The results of this study showed that the lower respiratory tract infection affected by M.catarrhalis, increase in individuals over the 40 year of age.