Haemophilus influenzae Invasive Disease, 2008

Seventy-two cases of invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease (1.4 per 100,000 population) were reported in 2008. Case-patients ranged in age from newborn to 100 years (median, 66 years). Twenty-nine (40%) had bacteremia without another focus of infection, 26 (36%) case-patients had pneumonia, six (8%) had meningitis, two (3%) had epiglottitis, and nine (13%) had other conditions. Eight (11%) deaths were reported among these case-patients.

Of 66 H. influenzae isolates for which typing was performed at MDH, 12 (18%) were type f, 5 (8%) type b, 4 (6%) type e, 2 (3%) type a, 1 (2%) type d, and 42 (64%) were untypeable.

Five cases of type b (Hib) disease occurred in 2008, compared to 1 case in 2007, 4 cases in 2006, and 1 case in 2005. The Hib cases were identified in children (ages ranged from 5 months to 3 years); one child died. The five case-patients were found in five different counties in central Minnesota. Three case-patients presented with meningitis (one also had a subdural abscess), one with pneumonia, and one with epiglottitis. Three of the case-patients had not received Hib vaccination.

The eight deaths occurred in patients ranging in age from 7 months to 100 years. Four case-patients presented with pneumonia, three with bacteremia without another focus of infection, and one with meningitis. All eight case-patients had H. influenzae isolated from blood. Five had significant underlying medical conditions. Of the eight case-patients who died, 4 case-isolates were untypeable, 1 serotype b, 1 serotype f, 1 serotype e, and 1 case-isolate was not available from the hospital lab for typing.

• For up to date information see>> Haemophilus influenzae (invasive disease)
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2008