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Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18e
| Part 8. Infectious Diseases > Section 6. Diseases Caused by Gram-Negative Bacteria > |
Chapter 145. Haemophilus and Moraxella Infections
Sections: Haemophilus Influenzae, Haemophilus Ducreyi, Moraxella Catarrhalis, Further Readings.
Topics Discussed: haemophilus infection; moraxellaceae infection.
Excerpt:"Haemophilus influenzae was first recognized in 1892 by Pfeiffer, who erroneously concluded that the bacterium was the cause of influenza. The bacterium is a small (1- by 0.3- m) gram-negative organism of variable shape; hence, it is often described as a pleomorphic coccobacillus. In clinical specimens such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and sputum, it frequently stains only faintly with safranin and therefore can easily be overlooked.The most serious manifestation of infection with Hib is meningitis (Chap. 381), which primarily affects children <2 years of age. The clinical manifestations of Hib meningitis are similar to those of meningitis caused by other bacterial pathogens. Fever and altered central nervous system function are the most common features at presentation. Nuchal rigidity may or may not be evident. Subdural effusion, the most common complication, is suspected when, despite 2 or 3 days of appropriate antibiotic therapy, the infant has seizures, hemiparesis, or continued obtundation. The overall mortality rate from Hib meningitis is  5%, and the morbidity rate is high. Of survivors, 6% have permanent sensorineural hearing loss, and about one-fourth have..."
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