Neonatal meningitis due to non-encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae in a set of twins--a case report

Singapore Med J. 1994 Feb;35(1):104-5.

Abstract

A set of twins born to a 24-year-old primigravida had evidence of sepsis 24 to 60 hours after birth and were treated empirically with penicillin and gentamicin. A non-encapsulated H. influenzae biotype IV strain was isolated from the blood cultures of both and from the CSF of twin II. The isolates were beta-lactamase positive and hence showed resistance to ampicillin and therapy was changed to chloramphenicol only. Twin II recovered but Twin I developed a brain abscess in the left occipital region which resolved with extended antibiotic treatment. Although ampicillin-resistant H. influenzae have been reported in Malaysia, invasive disease by such strains are rare.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Brain Abscess / diagnosis
  • Brain Abscess / drug therapy
  • Diseases in Twins*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Haemophilus influenzae / classification*
  • Haemophilus influenzae / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Meningitis, Haemophilus / diagnosis*
  • Meningitis, Haemophilus / drug therapy
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents