Abstract
The incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) invasive disease has declined significantly in countries with routine infant Hib immunization. Accordingly, infections caused by other H. influenzae serotypes or by encapsulated H. influenzae strains are of growing interest. H. influenzae serotype e (Hie) is a rare cause of infection. Invasive Hie infections reported in adults are generally in individuals who had previous underlying conditions, in contrast to infections in childhood. We present the first report of Hie meningitis in Turkey. It is of interest that meningitis due to this organism occured as a complication of transsphenoidal hypophysectomy, which to our knowledge has never been documented. Further identification of H. influenzae strains isolated from patients with invasive disease, especially those with predisposing factors and/or who have been vaccinated, is essential.
Highlights
Six antigenically and biochemically distinct capsular polysaccharide subtypes (a-f) of H. influenzae have been identified
We report a case of H. influenzae serotype e (Hie) meningitis complicating transsphenoidal hypophysectomy
The findings showed that the isolate was type e and the organism was identified as H. influenzae serotype e biotype III
Summary
Six antigenically and biochemically distinct capsular polysaccharide subtypes (a-f) of H. influenzae have been identified. We report a case of Hie meningitis complicating transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. Indole and ornithine decarboxylase negativity showed that the H. influenzae isolate was biotype III.
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