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

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