Cluster of Haemophilus influenzae type b infections in adults
P. F. Smith, R. L. Stricof, M. Shayegani and D. L. Morse
Division of Field Services, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta.
Haemophilus influenzae type b commonly causes illness in young children,
among whom transmission is known to occur. Most adults are believed to be
immune to H influenzae type b and outbreaks of disease among adults appear
to be uncommon. From July 14 to Aug 12, 1985, a cluster of six cases of
acute febrile illness with cultures positive for H influenzae, biotype II
(five cases) or untyped H influenzae (one case), occurred among adults in a
nursing home and an adjoining hospital. All six case-patients had personal
contact with at least one other case-patient. Among the 46 nursing home
residents, men were more likely than women to become ill (44% vs 0%). This
cluster of disease suggests that elderly adults may be more susceptible to
H influenzae infection than is generally recognized and that outbreaks
among adults may result from person-to-person transmission.
