Moraxella catarrhalis on culture and microscopy Only 1-5% of adults are colonized with this Gram neg diplococci vs ~50% of children. It can be the cause of pneumonia in children and have varying levels of beta-lactamase expression. - Tan, "hockey puck" colonies - butyrate esterase positive (Neissseria spp. negative) - Gram negative diplococci - Other Moraxella spp. tend to be rods Rich Davis, PhD, D(ABMM), MLS @richdavisphd #Moraxella #catarrhalis #culture #microscopy #clinical #microbiology
