The first reported case of possible Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine failure from Kuwait and literature-review.
A 17-month-old vaccinated Kuwaiti boy presented with meningitis. The Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) capsular antigen was detected in his blood, CSF and urine. The microorganism failed to grow in culture. This case represents the first report of possible Hib vaccine failure from Kuwait. This report examines the possible reasons for this failure by reviewing the literature and emphasizes the need to broaden the definition of vaccine failure with the aim of optimizing the timing of the vaccine booster dose for prematurely born children and establishing continuous surveillance for Hib vaccine failure.
Department of Microbiology, Al-Sabah Hospital, Kuwait. Electronic address: pphit1@gmail.com.
Prashant
P
Purohit
Department of Microbiology, Al-Sabah Hospital, Kuwait.
Ina'am Ahmad
IA
Al-Obaid
Department of Paediatrics, Al-Sabah Hospital, Kuwait.
Nehad Gamal Al-Deen
NG
Omar
D016667:Bacterial Capsules / Q000276:immunology*; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D019741:Haemophilus influenzae type b / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology
D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; C044237:Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide vaccine
Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis; Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine failure