Moraxella catarrhalis: The virulence factor and pathogenesis strategy

Abstract

Moraxella catarrhalis is a Gram-negative diplococcus bacterium, formerly known as Neisseria catarrhalis or Branhamella catarrhalis. The bacterium colonizes the nasopharynx as innocent commensal, the recent recognition of M. catarrhalis as an important pathogen in both the upper and lower respiratory tract. It is important human-restricted pathogen responsible for sinusitis and otitis media in children as well as infections of the lower respiratory tract, causing exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults. The mechanisms of colonization and pathogenesis of M. catarrhalis have been extensively studied and many virulence factors have been identified to date. The objective of this study summarized important virulence factor and pathogenesis strategy of M. catarrhalis.