Comparison of two antigen detection techniques in a primate model of Haemophilus influenzae type b infection.

Rapid diagnosis of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis is possible using immunological tests for capsular antigen (polyribophosphate, PRP), such as countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and latex particle agglutination (LPA). We compared two tests in monkeys with evolving, serially quantitated H. influenzae type b bacteremia (n = 23) and meningitis (n = 21).

Effect of inoculum size on the susceptibility of Haemophilus influenzae b to beta-lactam antibiotics.

The current prevalence of ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae b meningitis requires accurate knowledge of susceptibility to alternative antibiotics. One variable affecting susceptibility is inoculum size. We studied the susceptibility of 200 clinical isolates of H.

Ventricular involvement in experimental Hemophilus influenzae meningitis.

We determined the frequency of ventricular involvement during Hemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in ten bacteremic infant rhesus monkeys. Meningitis was defined as cerebrospinal fluid obtained from the lumbar subarachnoid space or cisterna magna containing bacteria and ten or more leukocytes per mm3. HIB were cultured from 22 of 22 ventricular CSF samples.

Rapid diagnosis of Hemophilus influenzae type b infections by latex particle agglutination and counterimmunoelectrophoresis.

Latex particle agglutination and counterimmunoelectrophoresis techniques were compared in a clinical trial to demonstrate their sensitivity, specificity, and usefulness in the rapid diagnosis of invasive Hemophilus influenzae type b disease. LPA, a simplified LPA performed by house officers, and CIE used in this study detected 0.2, 0.

Increasing incidence of ampicillin resistance in Hemophilus influenzae.

The incidence of ampicillin resistance in Hemophilus influenzae and its medical significance have not been extensively determined. During 1975-1977, we tested for ampicillin resistance 489 consecutive middle-ear isolates of HI obtained from children in Huntsville, Alabama, and 719 consecutive laboratory isolates of HI from Children's Hospital, Boston. The annual incidence of Amp resistance rose progressively in each survey, from initial values of 1.

Home-testing for recurrent bacteriuria, using nitrite strips.

Follow-up of children with recurrent urinary infections would be simplified by an accurate home-testing program for detection of infection. We provided nitrite test strips to the parents of 30 girls with recurrent urinary infection to determine if twice weekly home testing of first-voided urine could reliably detect infection. Infections were documented by dip slides or colony counts indicating more than 10(5) bacteria per milliliter of urine.

Incidence of ampicillin-resistant Hemophilus influenzae in otitis media.

Ampicillin resistance in Hemophilus influenzae type b causing serious infections is appreciated, but little is known about ampicillin resistance in nonencapsulated strains causing otitis media. The ampicillin sensitivity of 984 middle-ear isolates of H. influenzae from children in Huntsville, Ala.

Evaluation of a rapid beta-lactamase test for detecting ampicillin-resistant strains of Hemophilus influenzae type b.

Chloramphenicol is presently the drug of choice in the initial treatment of serious infections due to Hemophilus influenzae type b. Rapid detection of ampicillin resistance in clinical isolates would facilitate early discontinuation of chloramphenicol therapy in patients infected with ampicillin-sensitive bacteria. A total of 160 strains of H.

Otitis media caused by non-typable, ampicillin-resistant strains of Haemophilus influenzae.

Strains of Haemophilus influenzae, which did not belong to any of the known capsular serotypes and which were resistant in vitro to ampicillin, have been isolated from middle ear exudates of two children with otitis media. These children failed to improve with ampicillin therapy, and the resistant organisms persisted at the site of infection. Patients infected with such ampicillin-resistant organisms require therapy with antimicrobial agents which are not susceptible to degradation by penicillinase.