title: [Haemophilus influenzae cellulitis of the hand: report of one case].
abstract: Cellulitis of extremities due to Haemophilus influenzae is rare in children. Only 60 cases of Haemophilus influenzae cellulitis of the extremities have been reported. It usually affects young children between the ages of six and 24 months. The lesion often presents with a red-to-bluish-purple discoloration overlying the involved area. High fever and leukocytosis are commonly found. Culture of needle aspirate and blood with appropriate media is necessary for diagnosis. Early diagnosis is especially important because of associated bacteremia and the subsequent possibility of life-threatening complications such as meningitis. We reported a 8-month-old female infant with Haemophilus influenzae type b cellulitis over the right hand. She was admitted due to high fever and painful swelling of the right hand. Edematous right hand with dusky erythematous skin over the dorsum and swelling of the palm with limitation of range of motion were noted on admission. Smear of needle aspirate revealed gram negative bacilli and beta-lactamase(-) Haemophilus influenzae type b was cultivated in the blood culture. She was successfully treated with ampicillin and discharged with stable condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: F Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Sheu
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D002481:Cellulitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae; D006225:Hand / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant