Rapidly Fatal Haemophilus influenzae Serotype f Sepsis in a Healthy Child

A previously healthy 4-year-old child became acutely ill with vomiting and low-grade fever. The following day she suddenly became limp and unresponsive. She experienced acute septic shock and despite aggressive treatment died. Blood cultures grew ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae type f. T...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of infection 2003-04, Vol.46 (3), p.194-196
Main Authors: Zacharisen, M.C., Watters, S.K., Edwards, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacterial diseases
Bacterial sepsis
Biological and medical sciences
Child, Preschool
Fatal Outcome
Female
Haemophilus Infections - drug therapy
Haemophilus Infections - physiopathology
Haemophilus influenzae - isolation & purification
Haemophilus influenzae - pathogenicity
Human bacterial diseases
Humans
Infectious diseases
Medical sciences
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Summary:A previously healthy 4-year-old child became acutely ill with vomiting and low-grade fever. The following day she suddenly became limp and unresponsive. She experienced acute septic shock and despite aggressive treatment died. Blood cultures grew ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae type f. There was no evidence of bacterial pneumonia or meningitis. To our knowledge, this represents the first case of fatal H. influenzae type f sepsis in a child without an identifiable focus or underlying predisposing condition. Despite the overwhelming success of the H. influenzae type b vaccine, physicians need to be aware of the potential for severe and fatal H. influenzae infections other than type b.
ISSN:0163-4453
1532-2742
DOI:10.1053/jinf.2002.1100