Haemophilus influenzae type b cellulitis of the lower extremity in a non-immunocompromised elderly patient

An 83-year-old non-immunocompromised man who developed Haemophilus influenzae cellulitis on his lower left leg is described. H. influenzae type b was isolated by conventional bacteriological cultures from one blood culture and from a cutaneous blister fluid aspirate, and identified within the dermis by immunofluorescence on a punch biopsy of lesional skin. Evolution was characterized by a slow healing during appropriate systemic antibiotherapy, and absence of any significant increase in antibodies to the capsular polysaccharide of H. influenzae type b.