ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the correlation of meteorological parameters with the epidemic of acute Moraxella ca-tarrhalis respiratory infection in hospitalized children in Suzhou. Methods A total of 8143 children with acute respiratory infec-tion were participated in the trial during 2006 to 2010, and the secretions of nasopharynx were collected for bacterium culture. Moraxella catarrhalis was identified according to the routine technique of culture. Meteorological parameters including mean temperature, relative humidity, rainfall amount, duration of sunshine and mean wind velocity were collected monthly during the same period. The relationship between the epidemic of Moraxella catarrhalis and metrorological parameters were analyzed by seasonal decomposition method, the Spearman rank correlation and stepwise regression analysis. Results Moraxella catarrhalis was identified in 4.04% of 8 143 specimens. The prevalence of acute Moraxella catarrhalis respiratory infection was higher during winter and spring. The monthly infection rate of Moraxella catarrhalis was negatively correlated with mean temperature as well as duration of sunshine and wind velocity. Wind velocity was independent risk factor for Moraxella catarrhalis infection. Conclusions Moraxella catarrhalis is a primary pathogen in respiratory tract infection in children in Suzhou. The epidemic of Moraxella catarrhalis is closely related to meteorological parameters.