[Haemophilus influenzae pulmonary infection in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus].
BACKGROUND
Haemophilus influenzae has frequently been identified as the etiologic agent in pneumonias of patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The experience of the authors is reviewed and the significance of isolating this microorganism in respiratory samples commented upon.


METHODS
The clinical, radiological and microbiological data of patients with HIV infection in whom H. influenzae was identified in blood, lung tissue, or samples of the lower respiratory tract obtained by fibrobronchoscopy were retrospectively evaluated.


RESULTS
Twenty cases were diagnosed with 75% presenting bilateral lung infiltration. In 70% the isolation sample was that of bronchoalveolar lavage. In 40% of the total another microorganism was identified in coinfection with H. influenzae, of which Mycobacterium tuberculosis was the most frequent. Thirty-five percent of the cases presented antecedents of one or several previous pulmonary infections. H. influenzae infection was not observed with either concomitant or previous infections in 20% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
A high frequency of pneumonias by Haemophilus influenzae with bilateral radiologic presentation have been found. H. influenzae is frequently demonstrated as in coinfection with other agents. The role that this microorganism has in pulmonary infection of patients with HIV infection is not clearly defined.
Tudela
P
P
Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas (Servicio de Medicina Interna), Hospital Universitario Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona.
Tor
J
J
Llibre
J M
JM
Muga
R
R
Condom
M J
MJ
Gabarre
E
E
Torrent
A
A
Sabrià
M
M
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Infección pulmonar por Haemophilus influenzae en pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.