MORAXELLA (BRANHAMELLA) CATARRHALIS BACTEREMIA IN CHILDREN - A REPORTOF 2 PATIENTS AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

We report two cases of Moraxella catarrhalis (M. catarrhalis) bacterem ia in apparently healthy children. One patient had bilateral otitis me dia and the other had pharyngitis and sinusitis; both patients had unc omplicated clinical courses. A literature review revealed 22 reported cases of M. catarrhalis bacteremia in children, 14 (63%) of which occu rred in patients who had no identified underlying condition. Eight (36 %) cases were seen in children who were immunocompromised. Nine (40%) patients presented with either purpura, petechia, or a maculopapular r ash. M. catarrhalis is well known as a respiratory pathogen, but it ha s not been recognized as a common cause of unsuspected bacteremia in c hildren.