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Assessing Respiratory Immune Responses to Haemophilus Influenzae
06:32

Assessing Respiratory Immune Responses to Haemophilus Influenzae

Published on: June 29, 2021

Haemophilus influenzae colonization and its risk factors in children aged <2 years in northern India

S Sekhar1, A Chakraborti, R Kumar

  • 1Department of Community Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Epidemiology and Infection
|May 14, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) carriage is common in northern Indian children under two, particularly those aged 18-21 months. Factors like housing and season influence carriage, suggesting early infant vaccination is crucial.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Disease burden and affected age groups for Haemophilus influenzae remain unclear in South Asia.
  • Nasopharyngeal carriage of H. influenzae provides insights into transmission dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and factors associated with H. influenzae nasopharyngeal carriage in children under two years in northern India.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, population-based study involving 1000 children aged <2 years from rural and urban northern India.
  • Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected to identify H. influenzae carriage.
  • Analysis considered age, socioeconomic factors (housing, overcrowding), and season.

Main Results:

  • Overall H. influenzae carriage prevalence was 11.2%.
  • Type b (Hib) accounted for 69% of isolates.
  • The highest carriage rate was observed in children aged 18-21 months.
  • Carriage was significantly influenced by age, housing type, overcrowding, and season.

Conclusions:

  • Hib carriage is prevalent in northern India among young children.
  • Early infancy vaccination is recommended due to early establishment of carriage.
  • Socioeconomic and environmental factors play a role in transmission.

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