Invasive procedures are needed to definitively identify the etiology of otitis media or sinusitis and are generally not performed. Isolation of M. catarrhalis from sputum samples from pts with COPD is suggestive, but not diagnostic, of M. catarrhalis as the cause.
Treatment: M. Catarrhalis Infections - Otitis media in children and exacerbations of COPD in adults are generally managed empirically with antibiotics active against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and M. catarrhalis.
- Most strains of M. catarrhalis are susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanate, extended-spectrum cephalosporins, newer macrolides (e.g., azithromycin, clarithromycin), TMP-SMX, and fluoroquinolones.
- More than 90% of M. catarrhalis strains produce a β-lactamase and are resistant to ampicillin.
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