Haemophilus influenzae infections in adults: a pathogen in search of respect.
Despite the success of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines in preventing bacterial disease in children, H influenzae remains a common pathogen in adult patients in the United States and Europe. At least half of invasive H influenzae infections are caused by nontypable strains. The spectrum of diseases includes sinusitis, pneumonia, otitis media, epiglotitis, and meningitis. An etiologic diagnosis is most reliably established by positive cultures from a normally sterile site. Although resistance to ampicillin and amoxicillin has steadily increased in clinical H influenzae isolates during the past two decades, a variety of other antimicrobial agents are available for the treatment of infections caused by this bacterium.
Strausbaugh
L J
LJ
Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, OR 97207, USA. strausbaugh@portland.va.gov
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents