Acute Hemophilus parainfluenzae epiglottitis in an adult

A 60-year-old man, who had non-insulin-dependent diabetes but was otherwise in good health, was hospitalized for sudden upper airway obstruction and respiratory arrest. Findings on fiberoptic laryngoscopy were consistent with acute epiglottitis. Blood cultures and factor analysis later revealed that the responsible pathogen was Hemophilus parainfluenzae. Acute epiglottitis in the adult is no longer considered rare and is usually attributed to H influenzae. The case described here and two other cases reported elsewhere indicate that H parainfluenzae may also be a cause of this serious and often fatal infection of the upper respiratory tract.