Hemophilus influenzae type B cellulitis in adults

Cellulitis due to Hemophilus influenzae type B is a rare but treatable event in adults. Herein is described a 67-year-old woman with anterior neck cellulitis caused by H. influenzae type B, documented by positive blood culture results. Six additional cases reported in the literature are reviewed. The following clinical syndrome emerges: the patient is usually older than 50 years of age, and pharyngitis develops first, followed by the onset of high fever and rapidly progressive anterior neck swelling, tenderness, and erythema associated with dysphagia. Because the causative organism may be resistant to ampicillin, the early use of chloramphenicol is recommended along with a beta-lactamase-resistant penicillin or cephalosporin (to cover other potential pathogens), or an appropriate third-generation cephalosporin that would also adequately cover all possible pathogens.