51 Haemophilus Pneumonia

Clinical Presentation

42-year-old woman with long-standing history of poorly controlled diabetes presented to the Emergency Department with purulent productive cough, shortness of breath, and fever

Radiologic Findings

PA (Fig. 51.1A) and lateral (Fig. 51.1B) chest X-rays demonstrate poorly defined nodular opacities and patchy areas of consolidation and a small right pleural effusion. Sputum and blood cultures confirmed the diagnosis.

Diagnosis

Haemophilus influenzae Pneumonia

Differential Diagnosis

• Other Community-Acquired Bronchopneumonias

Fig. 51.1

Discussion

Background

H. influenzae pulmonary infection is acquired through person-to-person transmission via aerosolized droplets deposited in the nasopharynx. The nasopharynx is colonized in up to 90% of children by 5 years of age. Many patients with COPD are also colonized.

Etiology

The pleomorphic, Gram-negative bacterium Haemophilus influenzae causes Haemophilus pneumonia. Most organisms that colonize the nasopharynx are unencapsulated and non-typeable. Most strains that infect the lung are encapsulated and typeable. Type b is the most common strain responsible for Haemophilus pneumonia (Hib).