Infection and Drug Resistance (Aug 2023)
Epidemic Trends and Biofilm Formation Mechanisms of Haemophilus influenzae: Insights into Clinical Implications and Prevention Strategies
Abstract
Jiying Xiao,1 Lin Su,2,3 Shumin Huang,2,3 Lingyue Liu,1 Kamran Ali,4 Zhimin Chen2,3 1Department of Pulmonology, Hangzhou Children’s Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310015, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pulmonology, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310052, People’s Republic of China; 3National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children’s Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310052, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Oncology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, 322000, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Zhimin Chen, Department of Pulmonology, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 3333 Bingsheng Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310052, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) is a significant pathogen responsible for causing respiratory tract infections and invasive diseases, leading to a considerable disease burden. The Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine has notably decreased the incidence of severe infections caused by Hib strains, and other non-typable H. influenzae (NTHi) serotypes have emerged as epidemic strains worldwide. As a result, the global epidemic trends and antibiotic resistance characteristics of H. influenzae have been altered. Researches on the virulence factors of H. influenzae, particularly the mechanisms underlying biofilm formation, and the development of anti-biofilm strategies hold significant clinical value. This article provides a summary of the epidemic trends, typing methods, virulence factors, biofilm formation mechanisms, and prevention strategies of H. influenzae. The increasing prevalence of NTHi strains and antibiotic resistance among H. influenzae, especially the high β-lactamase positivity and the emergence of BLNAR strains have increased clinical difficulties. Understanding its virulence factors, especially the formation mechanism of biofilm, and formulating effective anti-biofilm strategies may help to reduce the clinical impact. Therefore, future research efforts should focus on developing new approaches to prevent and control H. influenzae infections.Keywords: Haemophilus influenzae, epidemiology, virulence factors, biofilms, prevention strategies
