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Resistance surveillance of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis isolated in the United States, 1997-1998.

A national antimicrobial resistance surveillance study was conducted from December 1997 to May 1998 to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in 6620 clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. In this centralized study, which involved 163 institutions located in 43 states, we determined MICs for representatives of five antimicrobial classes: beta-lactams (penicillin, co-amoxiclav, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone), macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin), co-trimoxazole, glycopeptides (vancomycin) and fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin). In most S. pneumoniae isolates, all antimicrobials were to be found active, but amongst penicillin-resistant isolates (MICs > or = 2 mg/L), resistance to other beta-lactams, macrolides and co-trimoxazole was common. For vancomycin and levofloxacin, however, activity was not associated with penicillin resistance. The prevalence of penicillin-nonsusceptible (intermediate and resistant) pneumococci was highest in the South Atlantic (44%) and East South Central (43%) regions and lowest in the Mid-Atlantic (28%) and New England (28%) regions. Resistance to beta-lactams, macrolides and co-trimoxazole was more commonly found amongst respiratory isolates than blood isolates and in strains from patients < or = 12 years old than from older patients. beta-lactamase, which was detected in 33% of H. influenzae and 92% of M. catarrhalis strains, did not affect the activity of the beta-lactams under study other than ampicillin. Certain agents, such as vancomycin and the fluoroquinolones, remain highly active, and well-designed surveillance systems that monitor MIC distributions would be needed to detect a potential for reduced susceptibility. In addition, surveillance programmes should be designed to collect information about associated resistance as well as differences in prevalence associated with region, specimen source and patient age.

Adolescent↗

Long-term trends in susceptibility of Moraxella catarrhalis: a population analysis.

A retrospective, population analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns was performed on Moraxella catarrhalis isolates recovered from a single medical centre to detect temporal trends and infer potential mechanisms of reduced susceptibility. The duration of this study, June 1984 to July 1994, encompassed the period during which the frequency of beta-lactamase production expanded from 30 to 96% in the population. MICs of penicillin G, cefamandole, ceftriaxone, amoxycillin/clavulanate, imipenem, clarithromycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole for a representative sample of 375 isolates were determined. Analyses were conducted to test for variation in susceptibility among isolates, correlations of susceptibility levels among different antimicrobial agents, and temporal patterns in susceptibility. All antimicrobials except clarithromycin displayed significant differences among isolates within years, and mean MICs of all antimicrobial agents except tetracycline and clarithromycin varied significantly between years. Temporal trends to a reduction in susceptibility were detected to four of five beta-lactam antimicrobials (all except cefamandole). Significant correlations in MICs were uncovered among all pairs of four beta-lactam antimicrobials in both producers and non-producers of beta-lactamase. In contrast, cefamandole MICs were correlated only with ceftriaxone and penicillin, and these were limited to beta-lactam producing isolates; cefamandole and amoxycillin/clavulanate showed a correlation limited to non-producing isolates. For some antimicrobials, trends toward decreasing susceptibility may have been caused by an increased proportion of beta-lactamase producing isolates in the population, but the observation of significant decreases in susceptibility limited to beta-lactamase-producing isolates suggests that the underlying factors were different forms of beta-lactamase, beta-lactamase-dependent modifiers and/or additional factors.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Resistance surveillance of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis isolated in Asia and Europe, 1997-1998.

A multicentre, collaborative study was performed in Asia and Europe during the winter of 1997-1998 to determine the in vitro activity of selected antimicrobial agents against common respiratory pathogens. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis isolates were collected from 48 sites in China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and the UK and tested in a central laboratory in the USA. Broth microdilution MICs were determined for beta-lactams (penicillin, amoxycillin/clavulanate, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone), macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin), sulphonamides (co-trimoxazole), glycopeptides (vancomycin) and fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin). The percentage of isolates susceptible to each antimicrobial class varied substantially by country. Penicillin susceptibility amongst pneumococci ranged from 34% in France and Spain to 92% in Germany, and macrolide susceptibility varied between 26% in China and 91% in the UK. In most countries beta-lactam, macrolide and cotrimoxazole resistance was more prevalent amongst penicillin-intermediate and -resistant S. pneumoniae isolates. However, little or no resistance was detected to levofloxacin (0.3% intermediate and resistant) or vancomycin (0% intermediate and resistant). For H. influenzae the prevalence of beta-lactamase production varied from 6% in China and Germany to 32% in Spain, and for M. catarrhalis, from 79% in Germany to 98% in Japan. With the exception of ampicillin, beta-lactamase production had a minimal effect on beta-lactam activity against H. influenzae or M. catarrhalis. Our findings demonstrate that antimicrobial resistance profiles of common respiratory isolates differ dramatically between countries in Asia and Europe.

Asia↗

Antibiotic resistance in respiratory tract isolates of Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis collected from across Canada in 1997-1998.

Between September 1997 and November 1998 respiratory tract isolates of Haemophilus influenzae (n = 1352) and Moraxella catarrhalis (n = 428) were collected by 18 Canadian medical centres. beta-Lactamase was produced by 24.0 and 94.2% of H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis isolates, respectively. Resistance rates for H. influenzae were highest for ampicillin (24.0%), trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (13. 7%), loracarbef (6.1%) and cefaclor (4.2%), and </= 1% for amoxycillin/clavulanate, cefotaxime, cefprozil, cefixime, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, grepafloxacin, trovafloxacin and chloramphenicol. M. catarrhalis resistance rates, derived using NCCLS breakpoint criteria for Haemophilus spp., were </= 1% for all antibiotics tested except ampicillin (49.5%) and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (1.6%).

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

The PROTEKT surveillance study: antimicrobial susceptibility of Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis from community-acquired respiratory tract infections.

This paper presents data relating to Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis from PROTEKT (1999-2000), a surveillance study that examined the susceptibility of respiratory pathogens to current and new antibacterials. Beta-lactamase production is the principal mechanism of resistance to ampicillin and other beta-lactam antibacterials in H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis. The PROTEKT study showed that globally, the prevalence of beta-lactamase production in H. influenzae varied considerably: of 2948 isolates, 489 (16.6%) were beta-lactamase-positive [range: 1.8% (Italy) to 65% (South Korea)]. Beta-lactamase-negative, ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR) strains of H. influenzae were uncommon (<0.1%) but their very detection highlights the need for continued vigilance. Overall, few isolates of H. influenzae showed resistance to either macrolides or telithromycin. The emergence of clarithromycin-resistant strains is worrying, however, as such isolates may also show resistance to other macrolides. There was a geographical correlation between beta-lactamase production and the prevalence of resistance to chloramphenicol and tetracycline among the H. influenzae isolates. Of 1131 M. catarrhalis isolates, 92% were beta-lactamase-positive. Most isolates, however, were fully susceptible to nearly all the antibacterials tested, except ampicillin. The most active were ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin (both having MIC(90) values of 0.03 mg/L), moxifloxacin (MIC(90) 0.06 mg/L), azithromycin (MIC(90) < or = 0.06 mg/L) and telithromycin (MIC(90) 0.12 mg/L). Overall, there were no concerns in terms of resistance to fluoroquinolones for both H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis. In summary, the PROTEKT surveillance study confirmed the problem of widespread prevalence of beta-lactamase-producing strains of H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis, although these pathogens generally remain susceptible to macrolides, fluoroquinolones and the new ketolide telithromycin.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of BSAC agar dilution and NCCLS broth microdilution MIC methods for in vitro susceptibility testing of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis: the BSAC Respiratory Resistance Surveillance Programme.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish the degree of comparability between the NCCLS broth microdilution and BSAC agar dilution MIC methods of antimicrobial susceptibility testing. METHODS: Six hundred and sixty-one clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 936 Haemophilus influenzae and 421 Moraxella catarrhalis, collected in the winter of 1999-2000 by 20 laboratories in the UK and Eire from patients with presumed community-acquired lower respiratory infections, were tested by the two methods. MIC agreement was defined as excellent (good) if results were within +/- 1 doubling dilution for > or =90% (> or =80%) of isolates and within +/- 2 doubling dilutions for > or =95%. Isolates were categorized as susceptible, intermediate or resistant using the breakpoints appropriate to the testing method. RESULTS: MIC agreement was good or excellent in 27 of 36 organism-agent combinations. Agreement was less for M. catarrhalis than for other species, and lower in all three species for cefaclor and trimethoprim than for other antimicrobials. Discrepancies in categorization occurred only occasionally, and were generally explained by differences in breakpoints rather than in measured MICs. One exception was S. pneumoniae with penicillin. Despite excellent MIC agreement and identical breakpoints, 9% of these had minor discrepancies, mainly because 7% of isolates were found intermediate by the BSAC method but resistant by the NCCLS method. CONCLUSION: There is generally very good agreement between the MICs obtained by the BSAC agar dilution and NCCLS broth microdilution methods in this population of isolates, comparable to the level of agreement achieved between different laboratories using a single method. Breakpoint differences contribute to most of the discrepancies in susceptibility categorization.

Agar↗

BRO beta-lactamase alleles, antibiotic resistance and a test of the BRO-1 selective replacement hypothesis in Moraxella catarrhalis.

OBJECTIVES: The hypothesis that BRO-1 selectively replaced the BRO-2 isoform of the Moraxella catarrhalis BRO beta-lactamase was tested by examining the temporal distribution, antibiotic resistance and epidemiological characteristics of isolates from a long-term collection at a single locale. METHODS: A rapid, one-step PCR assay conducted on 354 isolates spanning 1984-1994 distinguished bro alleles in over 97% of the beta-lactamase-producing isolates. Probes of dot blots were used to distinguish PCR failure from non-beta-lactamase-mediated penicillin resistance. RESULTS: BRO-2 isolates comprised 0-10% of the population per year with no evidence of a decline over time. All beta-lactamase producers exceeded the clinical threshold for penicillin resistance. Bimodality of penicillin MICs for beta-lactamase producers was caused by variation within BRO-1 rather than differences between BRO-1 and BRO-2. Non-beta-lactamase factors also confer resistance to penicillin and may contribute to the BRO-1 bimodality. The 13 BRO-2 isolates were associated with diverse genotypes within which there was evidence of epidemiologically linked clusters. The exclusive association of BRO-2 with four unrelated genotypes suggested maintenance of BRO-2 by recurrent mutation or horizontal exchange. CONCLUSIONS: The relative rarity of BRO-2 throughout the study, the absence of a declining temporal trend, and genetic diversity within BRO-2 all failed to support the hypothesis that BRO-2 was more common in the past and has been selectively replaced by BRO-1.

Alleles↗

Comparative in vitro activity of telithromycin against macrolide-resistant and -susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae.

OBJECTIVES: The first objective was to investigate the in vitro activity of telithromycin against respiratory tract pathogens in comparison with other antimicrobial agents. The second objective was to identify the influence of the erm(B) and mef(A) genes on the susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae to telithromycin. METHODS: The in vitro activity of telithromycin against S. pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae, isolated from the UK and 40 macrolide-resistant S. pneumoniae from four different countries was compared with a variety of antimicrobial agents. The 140 isolates were examined for the presence of the erm(B) and mef(A) genes. The impact of 5% CO(2) on susceptibility testing was also investigated. RESULTS: Telithromycin showed greatest activity against S. pneumoniae, but also had good activity against M. catarrhalis and H. influenzae, which was independent of their resistance profiles to other antibiotics. The MIC(90) of telithromycin for S. pneumoniae was 0.12 mg/L, which was 64-fold lower than the lowest macrolide MIC; 21% of the S. pneumoniae were macrolide resistant. Thirty-eight per cent of the macrolide-resistant strains were erm(B)-positive and 62% were mef(A)-positive, but no strain contained both genes. The activity of telithromycin was similar to that of azithromycin against both M. catarrhalis and H. influenzae, Erythromycin was slightly less active: 1% and 8% of M. catarrhalis and H. influenzae, respectively, were resistant to erythromycin, but none were resistant to telithromycin. Five per cent of the S. pneumoniae strains and 4% of the H. influenzae strains changed from telithromycin susceptible to non-susceptible entirely because of the incubation conditions. The MIC(50)s and MIC(90)s of S. pneumoniae, M. catarrhalis and H. influenzae increased by one dilution when incubated in CO(2). CONCLUSIONS: Telithromycin has shown high in vitro activity against S. pneumoniae, including those strains that are macrolide susceptible and resistant as well as M. catarrhalis and H. influenzae. This study has also demonstrated that there is no cross-resistance between erythromycin and telithromycin. The impact of 5% CO(2) on susceptibility testing should be investigated further before providing definite guidelines on telithromycin susceptibility testing.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Selection of resistance of telithromycin against Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and streptococci in comparison with macrolides.

OBJECTIVE: The in vitro abilities of telithromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin to select for resistance were compared by testing isolates of Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and beta-haemolytic streptococci. METHODS: Five strains each of beta-lactamase-positive and beta-lactamase-negative H. influenzae, beta-lactamase-positive and beta-lactamase-negative M. catarrhalis, S. pneumoniae, beta-haemolytic group A, group C and group G streptococci and three strains of beta-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant H. influenzae were evaluated. Development of resistance was determined by multi-step and single-step methodologies. For multi-step studies, MIC values were determined after five serial passages on antibiotic-gradient plates and after 10 serial passages on antibiotic-free plates. Acquisition of resistance was defined as an increase of >/=4-fold from the starting MIC. In single-step studies, the rate of spontaneous mutations was calculated after a passage on plates containing antibiotics at concentrations equal to the highest NCCLS breakpoints. RESULTS: Azithromycin, clarithromycin and telithromycin gave a >/=4-fold increase in 20, 20 and 10 streptococcus strains, in 4, 5 and 0 H. influenzae strains and in 2, 7 and 4 M. catarrhalis strains, respectively. After 10 passages on antibiotic-free plates, 21/26 strains for azithromycin, 22/32 for clarithromycin and 1/14 for telithromycin maintained high MIC values. In single-step studies, the frequency of mutations was <10(-10) for H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis for telithromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin. Telithromycin induced mutations at a lower rate than azithromycin and clarithromycin in streptococcal strains. CONCLUSION: Telithromycin showed a very limited ability to select for resistance in respiratory pathogens compared with azithromycin and clarithromycin.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Protease II from Moraxella lacunata: cloning, sequencing, and expression of the enzyme gene, and crystallization of the expressed enzyme.

A gene coding for protease II (basic amino acid specific oligoendopeptidase) from Moraxella lacunata was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli DH1. The transformant harboring a hybrid plasmid, pMPROII-12, with a 3.0-kbp insert at the PvuII-SacI site in pUC19, showed 23-fold higher enzyme activity than M. lacunata. The expressed enzyme from E. coli DH1/pMPROII-12 was purified by 40-80% ammonium sulfate fractionation, chromatography on DEAE-Toyopearl, and Sephadex G-150 gel filtration. The enzyme was most active at pH 6.5 and stable at pH 6.5-9.5. It had an optimum temperature of 35 degrees C for 5 min of reaction and was stable to up to 35 degrees C for 30 min at pH 7.0. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 80,000 by SDS-PAGE and gel-filtration analyses. It enzyme was inhibited by diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) and classified as a serine endoprotease. Its amino acid sequence was 38% homologous to that of the E. coli protease II. By alignment with other members of the prolyl endopeptidase family, the amino acid residues involved in the catalytic triad were deduced to be Ser-534, Asp-619, and His-654. The enzyme was crystallized by the hanging drop vapor diffusion method using PEG 4000 as precipitant.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cefaclor treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract infections caused by Moraxella catarrhalis.

A retrospective analysis of data from 18 clinical studies was performed to examine the effectiveness and safety of cefaclor in the treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract infections caused by Moraxella catarrhalis (previously called Branhamella catarrhalis). Eighty-six percent of 56 evaluable patients had improvement in their symptoms of infections following therapy with cefaclor. There were no serious or life-threatening adverse drug experiences reported by any patient. Cefaclor appears to be an appropriate antibiotic for the safe and effective treatment of respiratory tract infections caused by M. catarrhalis.

Adolescent↗

Antibody response to outer membrane proteins of Moraxella catarrhalis in children with otitis media.

BACKGROUND: Moraxella catarrhalis is an important cause of bacterial otitis media, and a vaccine to prevent this disease would be highly desirable. Analysis of the dominant antigens on the surface of M. catarrhalis recognized by the human immune response to infection might aid in such a search. Such analysis would be most informative when studied in the eventual target age group for the vaccine; thus we have studied the immune response to M. catarrhalis in infants with otitis media. METHODS: Eighteen infants (mean age, 9.4 months) experiencing an episode of otitis media caused by M. catarrhalis were studied. Acute and convalescent antibody responses were studied by whole cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (heterologous strain) and by immunoblotting of outer membrane proteins (OMPs). RESULTS: Specific IgG was detected in 17% of acute serum samples and in 61% of convalescent sera. A rise in specific IgG was detected in 10 of 12 (83%) children 8 months of age or older, compared with 1 of 6 (17%) in younger patients (P = 0.0128). Immunoblotting revealed antibody binding to several OMPs with some detectable cross-reactivity. Four dominant OMP targets were identified, corresponding to UspA, TbpB, CopB and a approximately 60-kDa protein. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of antigens might form the most suitable basis for a M. catarrhalis vaccine designed to prevent otitis media in this age group.

Antibody Formation↗

Moraxella catarrhalis bacteremia and preseptal cellulitis.

Invasive disease due to Moraxella catarrhalis is rare and has been associated mostly with immune deficiency conditions. We describe the first case of M catarrhalis bacteremia and preseptal cellulitis in an immunocompetent infant. This organism may be evolving from one with low pathogenicity to one with increased pathogenicity.

Acute Disease↗

Goblet cell density in acute otitis media caused by Moraxella catarrhalis.

HYPOTHESIS AND BACKGROUND: Secretory otitis media is associated with a highly increased goblet cell density, confirming the secretory pathogenesis of this disease. Previous studies have shown that the middle ear goblet cell density, and thus the secretory capacity, are massively increased during experimental acute otitis media and at least 6 months thereafter, conceivably predisposing to the subsequent development of secretory otitis media. These studies used middle ear inoculation of either Streptococcus pneumoniae, nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, or H. influenzae type b. The present study aimed at determining the goblet cell density during and after acute otitis media caused by Moraxella catarrhalis to clarify whether this bacterium induces an equivalently enhanced secretory capacity. METHODS: Twenty-five 25 rat middle ears were inoculated with M. catarrhalis. Five rats were killed on days 4, 8, 16, 60, and 180 after inoculation, followed by staining, dissection, and whole-mount embedding of the middle ear mucosae. The goblet cell density was determined by counting in 24 fields, covering the entire middle ear. RESULTS: In comparison with 25 normal middle ears, the goblet cell density was significantly increased in almost all counting localities, from day 4 and < or = 2 months after inoculation. The goblet cell density peaked on day 16, subsided thereafter, and in some areas reached a normal level 6 months after the acute incident. Mucosal areas containing goblet cells were consistently enlarged, thus leaving the middle ear with an increased secretory capacity during and 6 months after inoculation. CONCLUSION: The goblet cell density of the middle ear mucosa is increased during acute otitis media caused by M. catarrhalis and up to several months thereafter. This may predispose to the subsequent development of secretory otitis media. However, in comparison with acute otitis media caused by other bacteria, M. catarrhalis induced only modest changes in goblet cell density.

Acute Disease↗

Mucosal immune response to specific outer membrane proteins of Moraxella catarrhalis in young children.

BACKGROUND: Moraxella catarrhalis is an important cause of otitis media. A number of candidate antigens for a future infant otitis media vaccine have been identified, but their mucosal immunogenicity induced by nasopharyngeal M. catarrhalis colonization has not been characterized. The aim of this study was to determine the salivary IgA response to M. catarrhalis outer membrane proteins (OMP) in young children. METHODS: Children ages 1 to 24 months evaluated for acute respiratory tract infection were prospectively enrolled. M. catarrhalis nasopharyngeal colonization was determined by (1) selective culture and (2) detection by reverse transcription-PCR of messenger RNA specific for the OMP UspA1 and UspA2. Salivary IgA responses were detected by immunoblot analysis of M. catarrhalis OMP. Isogenic knockout mutants for UspA1, UspA2, hemagglutinin (Hag), transferrin-binding protein B (TbpB) and CopB were constructed for identification of specific target OMP. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were studied. The rates of M. catarrhalis colonization by culture, reverse transcription-PCR for messenger RNA and mRNA were 40, 94 and 58%, respectively. Anti-M. catarrhalis salivary IgA was detected in 62 patients (94%). IgA directed against a >250-kDa antigen (assigned to UspA1/UspA2 by mutant analysis) and a 200-kDa antigen (Hag) were detected in 65 and 70% of patients, respectively. Bands at 80 to 85 kDa (82%) consisted of IgA directed against monomeric UspA2, TbpB and CopB. CONCLUSIONS: colonization occurring in early infancy is associated with a consistent mucosal immune response directed against the UspA proteins, Hag and other OMP. The data suggest that several M. catarrhalis OMP are immunogens of the nasopharyngeal mucosal immune system of infants.

Age Distribution↗

Isolation of a relatively pure outer membrane fraction of Moraxella nonliquefaciens and a comparison of its characteristics with the cytoplasmic membrane-containing material.

Cell envelope fractions of Moraxella nonliquefaciens were isolated by a slight modification of Osborn's method. Two main membrane fractions were characterized chemically and morphologically. The density of the fraction containing cytoplasmic membrane material was 1.17 to 1.18 g cm-3 compared with 1.24 to 1.27 g cm-3 for the outer membrane fraction. Lipopolysaccharide was detected almost exclusively in the outer membrane fraction and sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of this fraction revealed one dominant protein band with an apparent molecular weight of 45 000. Cross-contamination of the fractions was estimated to be about 10%, as calculated on the basis of the lipopolysaccharide fatty acid 3-hydroxydodecanoic acid and on the relative activities of D-lactate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase.

Cell Fractionation↗

Studies on outer membrane proteins of Moraxella nonliquefaciens.

Outer membrane fractions of Moraxella nonliquefaciens 7784 strains SC-c and N-b, isolated by extraction with lithium acetate, were analysed by SDS-PAGE. Three main proteins were found, of which one, with an apparent molecular weight of 19500, was undetectable in membranes isolated by lysis of lysozyme/EDTA spheroplasts. All three major proteins were heat modifiable.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗