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Cluster of Haemophilus influenzae Type b Infections in Adults
Perry F. Smith, MD;
Rachel L. Stricof, MPH;
Mehdi Shayegani, PhD;
Dale L. Morse, MD, MS
JAMA. 1988;260(10):1446-1449.
Abstract
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.
(JAMA 1988;260:1446-1449)
Author Affiliations
From the Division of Field Services, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta (Dr Smith), and the New York State Department of Health, Albany (Ms Stricof and Drs Shayegani and Morse). Dr Smith is now with the New York State Department of Health, Albany.
Footnotes
Trade name is used for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the Department of Health and Human Services or the Public Health Service.
Reprint requests to the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Empire State Plaza, Tower Bldg, Room 651, Albany, NY 12237 (Dr Morse).
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ABSTRACT
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