Acute epiglottitis--aetiology, epidemiology and outcome in a population before large-scale Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination.
Over a period of 18 years 219 consecutive cases of acute epiglottitis were diagnosed and subsequently investigated in order to elucidate the aetiology, epidemiology and outcome of this disease in a well-defined population in Sweden before general vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b infection was introduced. Compared with the results from other parts of the industrialized world, high incidence rates were found in both children (14/100,000/year) and adults (2.3/100,000/year). The annual trend showed a significant decline in incidence among children, whereas in adults it remained unchanged. In cases where the aetiological agent could be determined, infection with H. influenzae type b was the main cause of disease in all age groups. However, in adults 27% (6/22) had a disease caused by micro-organisms other than H. influenzae type b that were verified with a blood culture. Sixty-eight per cent had a negative blood culture. The mortality rate was 0.5% (1/219) and 6% (13/219) developed a significant complication of the disease.
Hugosson
S
S
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Orebro Medical Center Hospital, Sweden.
Olcén
P
P
Ekedahl
C
C
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004826:Epiglottitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination
D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines