Pneumonia (Jan 2015)
A review of the role of Haemophilus influenzae in community-acquired pneumonia
Abstract
In an era when Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine is widely used, the incidence of Hib as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has dramatically declined. Non-typeable H. influenzae (NTHi) strains and, occasionally, other encapsulated serotypes of H. influenzae are now the cause of the majority of invasive H. influenzae infections, including bacteraemic CAP. NTHi have long been recognised as an important cause of lower respiratory tract infection, including pneumonia, in adults, especially those with underlying diseases. The role of NTHi as a cause of non-bacteraemic CAP in children is less clear. In this review the evidence for the role of NTHi and capsulated strains of H. influenzae will be examined.
