MORAXELLA (BRANHAMELLA) CATARRHALIS AND RTI - INVITRO ACTIVITY OF CEFUROXIME

B. catarrhalis, colonizer of the upper respiratory tract is now well recognised as an aetiologic agent of a variety of respiratory diseases : sinusitis - otitis media in the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis and pneumonia in the lower respiratory tract. It appears as an opportunist bacteria in patients with underlying disease. Its role is greater during the winter season when the nasopharyngeal colonization is important either alone or in association with H. influenzae and/or S. pneumoniae. 88.7 per cent of strains are beta-lactamase producers. The treatment of respiratory diseases would have to keep in mind this fact and would need the use of antibiotics resistant to the beta-lactamases, such as cefuroxime axetil.