Moraxella Does NOT Require Isolation in Hospital Settings
Moraxella catarrhalis does not require isolation precautions in hospitalized patients—standard precautions with proper hand hygiene are sufficient. 1
Rationale for Standard Precautions Only
Moraxella catarrhalis is a gram-negative coccus that causes respiratory infections, primarily in patients with underlying chronic respiratory disease, but it is not classified as a multidrug-resistant organism requiring transmission-based precautions. 2, 3
The available infection control guidelines specifically address isolation requirements for multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (such as MDR-Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii) but do not include Moraxella catarrhalis in organisms requiring contact precautions or isolation. 1
Unlike MRSA, VRE, or multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria that require contact precautions with single-room isolation, Moraxella is managed with standard infection control measures. 4, 5
Required Infection Control Measures
Hand Hygiene (Most Critical)
Healthcare workers must perform hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water before and after all patient contact, regardless of whether the patient has Moraxella isolated. 1
Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent transmission of respiratory pathogens in healthcare settings. 6
Standard Precautions
Use gloves and gowns when contact with respiratory secretions is anticipated (e.g., during suctioning, handling respiratory specimens). 1
Implement droplet precautions (mask within 3 feet) if the patient has active respiratory symptoms with coughing, but this is for general respiratory hygiene, not specific to Moraxella. 1
Clean and disinfect shared equipment (stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs) between patients using standard hospital disinfection protocols. 1
Clinical Context of Moraxella Infections
Moraxella catarrhalis is commonly isolated in respiratory specimens from patients with underlying chronic respiratory disease experiencing acute exacerbations, and less commonly causes pneumonia in immunosuppressed patients. 2, 3
While nosocomial transmission of Moraxella has been documented in suspected outbreaks involving multiple strains over months, these were managed with enhanced hand hygiene and standard precautions, not isolation. 7
Most strains (86.6%) produce beta-lactamase, making appropriate antibiotic selection important, but this does not change isolation requirements. 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not apply MRSA or multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria protocols to Moraxella—this wastes resources, causes unnecessary psychological harm from isolation, and diverts single rooms from patients who truly need them. 4, 6
Do not perform contact screening of roommates or healthcare workers as would be done for MRSA or MDR gram-negative bacteria—this is not indicated for Moraxella. 1
Recognize that understaffing and poor hand hygiene compliance are the primary drivers of nosocomial transmission, not lack of isolation rooms. 6
When Enhanced Precautions May Be Considered
If a patient with Moraxella pneumonia is immunocompromised, consider a single room for their protection from other pathogens, not because Moraxella itself requires isolation. 3
If an outbreak is suspected with epidemiologically linked cases, consult infection prevention and control for enhanced surveillance, but isolation is still not routinely required. 7