Meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae type f

To describe a case of Haemophilus influenzae type f (Hif) meningitis occurring in the H. influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine era.

Successful treatment of a case of Hif meningitis in a previously vaccinated 3-year-old girl is described. The outcome was complicated by deafness. No underlying immunosuppression was demonstrated.

Despite the great success of Hib vaccines in reducing invasive disease due to H. influenzae, cases of H. influenzae meningitis continue to occur, caused by less common encapsulated serotypes. Whether there will be an increase in the number of these cases in the vaccine era is unknown and infection due to non-b serotypes requires close monitoring.