The Mechanism of Invasive Haemophilus influenzae Diseases

Abstract

The surfaces of most Haemophilus influenzae strains are covered with a polysaccharide capsule. They are divided into six groups, from a to f. H. influenzae type b serotype is responsible for invasive infections that threaten life, such as pneumonia, meningitidis, bacteremia, and epiglottitis, in children below five years of age. An increase in the level of anti-rapid plasma reagin (RPR) antibodies in plasma with age is seen, in line with a population decline in the incidence of invasive Hib disease since the 1990’s type b polysaccharide protein conjugate vaccine (Hib), while nontypeable H. influenzae (NTHi) is associated with invasive infections such as otitis media, acute sinusitis, exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, and community-acquired pneumonia. The development of new vaccines against NTHi can be considered as a potential solution to protect against the population invasive diseases