Branhamella (Neisseria) catarrhalis systemic disease in humans. Case reports and review of the literature

•Branhamella (Neisseria) catarrhalishas been reported as the etiologic agent of serious systemic human infections with increasing frequency. Two cases (pneumonia and septicemia) in which this organism was recovered as the sole bacterial pathogen are described herein. A brief review of the literature elucidating the disease entities with whichB catarrhalishas been associated is presented. Optimal antimicrobial therapeutic regimens are also discussed. (Arch Intern Med1981;141:1690-1692)