Haemophilus influenzae Invasive Disease, 2009

Seventy-nine cases of invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease (1.5 per 100,000 population) were reported in 2009. Cases ranged in age from newborn to 97 years (median, 65 years). Thirty-two (41%) cases had pneumonia, 30 (38%) had bacteremia without another focus of infection, 4 (5%) had peritonitis, 2 (3%) had meningitis, 2 (3%) had epiglottitis, and 9 (11%) had other conditions. Nine (11%) deaths were reported among these cases.

Of 71 H. influenzae isolates for which typing was performed at MDH, 7 (10%) were type f, 5 (7%) type a, 2 (3%) type b, 1 (1%) type e, and 56 (79%) were untypeable.

Two cases of type b (Hib) disease occurred in 2009, compared to 5 cases in 2008, 1 case in 2007, and 4 cases in 2006. These Hib cases were identified in children 1 to 9 years of age. In 2009, 1 case presented with pericarditis, and 1 presented with tracheitis and pneumoniitis. One of the cases was fully vaccinated, and the other had an unclear vaccination history.

The 9 deaths occurred in patients ranging in age from 1 year to 97 years. Six cases presented with bacteremia without another focus of infection, and 3 cases presented with pneumonia. All 9 cases had H. influenzae isolated from blood. Six had significant underlying medical conditions. Of the 9 cases who died, 7 case-isolates were untypeable, 1 was serotype a, and 1 was serotype e.

• For up to date information see>> Haemophilus influenzae (invasive disease)
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2009