Fatal, Fulminant and Invasive Non-Typeable <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i> Infection in a Preterm Infant: A Re-Emerging Cause of Neonatal Sepsis
Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EOS) is a major cause of neonatal death and long-term neurodevelopmental disabilities among survivors. The common pathogens causing EOS are group B <i>streptococcus </i>(GBS) and <i>Escherichia coli</i>. <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i> (...
Main Authors: | , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2020-02-01
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Series: | Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/5/1/30 |
Summary: | Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EOS) is a major cause of neonatal death and long-term neurodevelopmental disabilities among survivors. The common pathogens causing EOS are group B <i>streptococcus </i>(GBS) and <i>Escherichia coli</i>. <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i> (<i>H.</i> <i>influenzae</i>) is a Gram-negative coccobacillus that can cause severe invasive disease and can be divided into either typeable or non-typeable strains. <i>H.</i> <i>influenzae</i> serotype b (Hib) is the most virulent and the major cause of bacterial meningitis in young children prior to routine immunization against Hib. Hib infection rates have dramatically reduced since then. However, a number of studies have reported an increasing incidence of non-typeable <i>H. influenzae</i> (NTHi) sepsis in neonates worldwide and concluded that pregnant women may have an increased risk to invasive NTHi disease with poor pregnancy outcomes. We present a case of fulminant neonatal sepsis caused by NTHi in an extremely preterm infant and discuss potential preventative measures to reduce its re-emergence. |
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ISSN: | 2414-6366 |