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Role of non‐capsulated Haemophilus influenzae as a respiratory pathogen in children
Author(s) -
Korppi M,
Katila ML,
Jääskeläinen J,
Lein M
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1992.tb12160.x
Subject(s) - haemophilus influenzae , medicine , otitis , pneumonia , pathogen , serology , immunology , streptococcus pneumoniae , pasteurellaceae , acute otitis media , respiratory infection , antibody , microbiology and biotechnology , respiratory system , antibiotics , biology , surgery
During a 12‐month surveillance period from 1981‐1982, non‐capsulated Haemophilus influenzae was detected in nasopharyngeal aspirates from 64 (14%) of the 449 children hospitalized for middle or lower respiratory infection. An antibody response to H. influenzae was indicated in 15(23%) of the 64 patients with H. influenzae present in nasopharyngeal aspirate and in 10(3%) of the 385 patients with a negative finding. Thus, serological evidence of H. influenzae infection was demonstrated in 25(6%) of all the 449 children with respiratory infection. Of 13 patients with cultures positive for H. influenzae acute otitis media, an antibody response was seen in only 4(30%) patients. H. influenzae infection was associated with infections caused by other microbes in 20 children (80%), with viral infections in 60% and with pneumococcal infections in 24% of cases. An infection focus was present in 15(79%) of the 25 patients with H. influenzae infection; pneumonia was present in 10 cases and acute otitis media in 9 cases. Non‐specific laboratory evidence of bacterial infection was seen in 11 patients (58%); C‐reactive protein was increased in 7 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in 9 patients. It is concluded that non‐capsulated H. influenzae is a genuine respiratory pathogen in children. H. influenzae infections appear to be secondary to preceding viral or other bacterial infections in children who are carriers of this strain.