Biotypes of Haemophilus parainfluenzae from the respiratory secretions in chronic bronchitis

A total of 2401 isolates of Haemophilus parainfluenzae was isolated from respiratory secretions of 36 healthy adults and 128 patients with chronic bronchitis over a period of 1 year. The isolates were allocated to eight biotypes, by their production of indole, urease and ornithine decarboxylase. Biotypes I and II constituted most of the isolates of H. parainfluenzae from the oropharynx of controls (75%) and chronic bronchitics (c. 90%). Among the patients, there was no difference in the isolation rate between oropharyngeal swabs and sputum specimens. Biotypes III, IV, VI, VII and VIII were isolated less frequently, as was a new taxon defined here as biotype V which does not produce indole, urease or ornithine decarboxylase. Biotype III was isolated significantly less frequently from cases of chronic bronchitis than from controls, whereas biotype II was isolated somewhat more frequently from the patients, especially during acute episodes.