Clinical and microbiological features of Haemophilus influenzae vulvovaginitis in young girls.
OBJECTIVE
To define the clinical and microbiological features of vulvovaginitis in prepubertal girls whose genital swabs yielded Haemophilus influenzae.


METHODS
Laboratory based study and retrospective collection of clinical data from the requesting doctors.


RESULTS
Thirty eight isolates of non-capsulate Haemophilus influenzae and one of H parainfluenzae were isolated from 32 girls aged 18 months to 11 years. No other pathogens, such as beta haemolytic streptococci or yeasts, were present with H influenzae. The most common biotype was biotype II, comprising 57% of the 26 isolates biotyped. Six children had more than one episode of vulvovaginitis caused by H influenzae and a total of 14 children had recurrent vaginal symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Children who have H influenzae vulvovaginitis are at risk of recurrent symptoms. Biotype II is the one most commonly associated with this condition.
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Department of Microbiology, Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust, Rothwell Road, Kettering, Northants NN16 8UZ, UK. michael.gallant@ukgateway.net
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D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014848:Vulvovaginitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents