Complement resistance is a virulence factor of Branhamella (Moraxella) catarrhalis |
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Authors: | Cees Hol Cees M Verduin Etienne EA Van Dijke Jan Verhoef ré Fleer Hans van Dijk |
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Institution: | Eijkman-Winkler Institute for Medical and Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital, Room G04.614, P.O. Box 85,500, NL-3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands;The Laboratory of Public Health in Friesland, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate complement resistance in Branhamella (Moraxella) catarrhalis isolated from healthy schoolchildren or sputum-producing adult patients. Two techniques were used: a serum bactericidal assay as the gold standard and an easier ‘culture and spot’ test. Children (age 4–13; n = 303) and patients ( n = 1047) showed high colonization/infection rates with B. catarrhalis (31% and 19%, respectively). Complement resistance or intermediate sensitivity occurred frequently in patient isolates (62% and 27%, respectively) and less often in children (33% and 8.5%, respectively; P ? 0.0001). In young children (age 4–5 years), the proportion of complement-resistant strains was around 50%. Complement resistance in B. catarrhalis is associated with illness and may hence be considered a virulence factor. |
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Keywords: | Branhamella Complement resistance Moraxella Respiratory tract Virulence |
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