Related Experiment Videos
[Haemophilus influenzae systemic infections in a children's hospital]
Insights
This study tracked 37 Haemophilus influenzae type b infections in children, finding ampicillin resistance in over 20% of strains, particularly in meningitis and pneumonia cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a significant cause of childhood bacterial infections.
- Understanding the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Hib is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical features and antimicrobial resistance of Haemophilus influenzae type b infections.
- To identify trends in Hib infections over a five-year period.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 37 cases of Hib infections.
- Isolation of the organism from blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- Assessment of antimicrobial susceptibility, including resistance to ampicillin and chloramphenicol.
Main Results:
- Hib infections occurred in children aged 1 day to 9 years, with 83% under two years old.
- Common manifestations included meningitis (43.2%), pneumonia (27.0%), and epiglottitis (10.8%).
- Ampicillin resistance was observed in 21.6% of strains, with higher rates in meningitis (31.1%) and pneumonia (30.0%).
Conclusions:
- Hib infections predominantly affect young children, with significant rates of ampicillin resistance.
- Meningitis and pneumonia present in younger children compared to epiglottitis.
- Emerging resistance necessitates ongoing surveillance and consideration of alternative treatments, such as cefotaxime for multidrug-resistant strains.
Abstract:
Thirty seven infections due to "Haemophilus influenzae" b were registered from January 1979 to December 1983. The organism was isolated from blood and/or CSF in all cases. Relation with sex or season predominance was not observed. Children's age was 1 day to 9 years, 83% were below 2 years. They were 16 meningitis (43.2%); 10 pneumonias (27.0%); 4 epiglottitis (10.8%); 4 bacteremias; 2 perinatal infections and 1 case of arthritis. Six cases (16.2%) were hospital infections. Age for meningitis and pneumonias was significantly lower than for epiglottitis. Eight strains were ampicillin resistant (21.6%). In meningitis 31.1% and in pneumonias 30.0% of the strains were resistant. There were no resistances in other localizations. One strain resistant to both, ampicillin and chloramphenicol was treated with cefotaxim.