title: Epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae invasive disease in Jamaica, 1990-1993.
abstract: Haemophilus influenzae (H influenzae) invasive disease was studied retrospectively over a four-year period in children admitted to the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston, Jamaica. A total of 86 cases were identified. The mean estimated annual incidence of H influenzae invasive disease in Kingston and St Andrew was 39 per 100,000 children under 5 years of age. The majority (77%) of cases were in the under 2-year age group. A distinct seasonal pattern was noted, with a significantly higher proportion of patients (57-73%) presenting in the cooler months. Meningitis was the most common clinical diagnosis, accounting for 76% of the cases. Poor outcome was demonstrated in 21.5% of patients with meningitis. Sensitivity testing of H influenzae isolates revealed a resistance rate of 26% for ampicillin and 7% for chloramphenicol. The epidemiological findings in this study provide reasonable guidelines for empiric antibiotic therapy and also support the need to seriously consider vaccine prophylaxis in Jamaican children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Child Health, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica. m2forbes@cwjamaica.com
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Barton-Forbes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samms-Vaughan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Irons
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007563:Jamaica / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology