Good morning, Can you herd me in the right direction in helping to treat a client with moraxella catarrhalis that is manifesting itself in some joints in the hands/fingers? From what I can ascertain, it is typically treated with Augmentin, but due to an enzyme called beta-lactamase, it is hard to eradicate due to antibiotic resistance. I don't know why I keep running across people with things like typically acute respiratory viruses with no respiratory symptomology but long-term joint involvement instead. I digress... I'm looking for some direction in treating the bacterial infection, decrease joint pain (achy, sore, and stiff upon use) and inflammation, and bolster the immune system. I think I have a handle on the joint pain and inflammation/immune system, but I am decidedly struggling with what to do about the antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection. I am looking at herbs like Isatis, Baikal Skullcap, Japanese Honeysuckle, Usnea, Clove, Neem, Rosemary, etc. Any direction would be greatly appreciated. As this bacterium is a human mucosal pathogen, would it be safe to assume this is in the mucosal tissues/respiratory tract of this client even without symptomology, and is just showing itself in the joints? I don't like to assume. I guess this is why I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this one. If the answer is it's safe to make this assumption, are there any herbs with an affinity to bacterial infections of mucosal tissue? Or any herbs that act synergistically with an antibiotic such as Augmentin to increase its efficacy? Definitely need to disable efflux pumps. Thank you, David. Jami Platt

Except for very rare cases of septic arthritis Moraxella is not known nto cause joint pain, so my question would be are they sure it is the cause of this condition ? Other antibiotics such as tetracycline can still often treat Moraxella. I am wondering if there is something else going on here ? As for herbs that inhibit MDR pumps, many herbs or constituents have been shown to inhibit MDR activity including Honeysuckle, Barberry leaf, Thyme, Rosemary, Prickly Ash, Huang Qin.

David, Thank you. I agree with you in that there probably IS something else going on here. I appreciate the list of herbs with constituents inhibiting MDR pumps...I was searching and searching and searching! Jami