Widespread use of Haemophilus influenzae type b
vaccines have resulted in a significant overall
decline in invasive H. influenzae disease. However, a recent study
reported that a considerable burden of non-type b H. influenzae disease
is still present in the youngest and oldest age groups.
From 1989 to 2008, more than 7,500 cases of H. influenzae disease
were reported from Active Bacterial Core surveillance sites. The estimated mean
annual incidence of H. influenzae infection was 1.62 cases/100,000
population from 1999 to 2008. Of those, 15.3% of cases were fatal.
The incidence was higher among adults aged at least 65 years vs. other
age groups. The largest burden of disease among children was in infants aged
younger than 1 year. Many of these cases occurred during the first month of
life in preterm or low birth weight infants. An estimated 10% of the total
burden of disease among children aged younger than 5 years occurred in American
Indian and
Alaska Native children.
The study researchers said there were small increases in the incidence
of serotypes A, E and F from 1989 to 2008, with the largest increase seen in
serotype F in patients aged at least 18 years.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial
disclosures.