[Branhamella (Moraxella) catarrhalis--a clinically relevant pathogen of bronchopulmonary diseases?].

Branhamella catarrhalis, previously named Neisseria catarrhalis was known as a saprophytic inhabitant of the human respiratory tract. The importance as a facultative pathogen has increased during the last years. This study demonstrates the presence of B. catarrhalis in sputa and bronchial secretions of adults as well as children with bronchopulmonary diseases in a part of Berlin. From March 1989 to July 1990 in routine examinations in the bacteriological laboratory of a lung hospital 46 isolates (from 32 patients) of B. catarrhalis were identified. B. catarrhalis was found in pure culture and in mixed culture usually in association with Haemophilus sp. 75% were positive for beta-lactamase. B. catarrhalis is oxidase- and catalase positive and does not produce acidification of sugars. The strains reduce nitrate and hydrolyze tributyrin. The tributyrin hydrolysis proved to be useful for differentiation Branhamella from Neisseria.