Intrageneric and Intergeneric Transfer of Branhamella catarrhalis β-Lactamase Production

Abstract

Intrageneric and intergeneric conjugational transfer of .beta.-lactamase production to a B. catarrhalis recipient is described. The branhamella donor strains were fresh isolates subcultured onto penicillin-containing media directly from the primary plates. A .beta.-lactamase positive Moraxella nonliquefaciens served as donor in the intergeneric matings. The substrate profiles of the branhamella and moraxella enzymes were indistinguishable as determined by biological assays. Excessive endonuclease activity did not permit a conclusive characterization of isolated extrachromosomal DNA from the branhamella donors.