Branhamella Catarrhalis Prevalence in a Hospital Population

The prevalence of environmental and nasopharyngeal carriage of Branhamella catarrhalis in hospital staff members and in-patients was higher than previous studies suggested. Pernasal swabs performed on 59 members of staff revealed four isolates of Branh. catarrhalis, two of which were beta-lactamase producers. Seven isolates, two beta-lactamase positive, were recovered from 89 in-patients none of whom had bronchopulmonary infection with Branh. catarrhalis. From 117 settle plates six isolates, one beta-lactamase positive, were recorded. Attempts to bacteriocine type the isolates failed. In the absence of a typing system for Branh. catarrhalis evidence of nosocomial spread remains circumstantial.