Haemophilus influenzae Epiglottitis: A Rare Disease Not to Be Forgotten

TL;DR

This paper discusses a rare case of epiglottitis in a vaccinated child caused by a non-typable Haemophilus influenzae strain.

Contribution

The novelty lies in highlighting the clinical relevance of non-typable H. influenzae strains despite Hib vaccination.

Findings

A fully immunized child developed epiglottitis caused by a non-typable H. influenzae strain.

The case emphasizes the need for vigilance in diagnosing epiglottitis in vaccinated children.

Vaccination impacts the epidemiology of H. influenzae disease, requiring ongoing monitoring.

Abstract

Although pediatric epiglottitis has become rare following the widespread use of the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, breakthrough infections still occur, whilst other H. influenzae serotypes continue to emerge. We present the case of a 10-year-old child, fully immunized against Hib, who developed epiglottitis. Blood cultures confirmed H. influenzae infection, and further microbiological characterization identified a non-typable strain. This case highlights the growing clinical relevance of H. influenzae strains not covered by the Hib vaccine and reinforces the need to maintain a high index of suspicion for epiglottitis as a cause of upper airway obstruction, even in fully immunized children, requiring early recognition and prompt management. Continuous monitoring is crucial for assessing how vaccination influences the epidemiological patterns of invasive H. influenzae disease.

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