Beta-lactamase production in the upper respiratory tract flora

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In order to determine the recovery rate of species of the genera Haemophilus and Moraxella (including subgenus Branhamella) from the upper respiratory tract and the incidence of β-lactamase production within these genera, cultures were made of nose and throat swab specimens and adenoid tissue in 50 children undergoing adenoidectomy.Haemophilus influenzae was isolated from 92% of the children. All children harboured strains of Haemophilus spp. and in 46%, at least one strain produced the TEM-1 β-lactamase.Branhamella catarrhalis and/or Moraxella nonliquefaciens were isolated from 82% of the children and strains producing the BRO-1 β-lactamase from 34%. Overall, TEM-1 and/or BRO-1 producing strains were recovered from 60% of the investigated patients. The β-lactamase production was found to be transferable by conjugation within the respective genera. It is suggested that the apathogenic species may be a source of transferable determinants mediating β-lactamase production in the upper respiratory tract.

This publication has 33 references indexed in Scilit: