title: Supraglottitis and Hemophilus parainfluenzae: pathogenic potential of the organism.
abstract: Hemophilus parainfluenzae may be a normal inhabitant of the pharynx, but it can have pathogenic potential elsewhere in the body. It has been identified as a cause of bacteremia and meningitis. The case discussed here represents the first report of H parainfluenzae-induced supraglottitis in a child. In reviewing its pathogenic potential in the upper respiratory tract, it appears that its major effect could be the ability to transfer ampicillin resistance to ampicillin-susceptible Hemophilus influenzae.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis; D006190:Haemophilus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007827:Laryngitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D010403:Penicillin Resistance
chemical_list: D000667:Ampicillin