Haemophillus influenzae type b: molecular biological characteristics and familial contagious source

ABSTRACT

Haemophilus influenzae is one of the main pathogens of encephalitis in children less than 5 years old. The rate of ampicillin resistant strain is not high. No beta-lactamase-producing and ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR) isolates were found. The PFGE patterns of Hib isolates were highly divergent, but most could be classified into three groups (A, B and C). Hib isolates from the CSF of patients and from nasopharynges of household contacts showed the same PFGE patterns. This observation suggested that household contacts of patients are a possible reservoir of Hib.