Sputum microbiology in a district general hospital. The role of Branhamella catarrhalis.

Evidence is presented that supports the view that Branhamella catarrhalis has a pathogenic role in chronic chest disease, similar in many respects to Haemophilus influenzae. It was isolated from 4% of sputum specimens (compared to 10% for Haemophilus influenzae). Fifty-three per cent produced beta-lactamase, and all were resistant to trimethoprim. The relevance of these findings to antibiotic treatment is discussed.