BETA-LACTAMASE PRODUCERS AND OTHER BACTERIA

Causal agents: Community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections a re caused by two types of agents: specific bacteria and opportunistic bacteria. Diagnosis: Sputum samples should be collected under optimal conditions for cytology and bacte riology examination. Bacterial count s provide important information to distinguish between infection and o pportunistic colonization. In routine practice, the examination does n ot include a search for specific pathogens as special sampling techniq ues are required. Sensitivity: Opportunistic germs are usually sensiti ve to the amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination as are pneumococci w ith decreased susceptibiliy to penicillin G and beta-lactamase produci ng H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis and meticillin-sensitve S. aureus((1) ).