Hemophilic infection
The content of the article:
- Causes and risk factors
- Forms of the disease
-
Symptoms
- Purulent meningitis
- Hemophilic pneumonia
- Hemophilic sepsis
- Hemophilic cellulite
- Hemophilic epiglottitis
- Purulent arthritis
- Diagnostics
- Treatment
- Possible complications and consequences
- Forecast
- Prevention
Hemophilic infections are a group of acute infectious diseases, the causative agent of which is Pfeiffer's bacillus (Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus influenzae) and which are characterized by predominant damage to the respiratory system, the brain, and the formation of abscesses in the internal organs.
Hemophilic infection most commonly affects children between the ages of 6 months and 4 years. In adults and children of other age groups, the disease is much less common.
Hemophilic infection caused by Pfeiffer's bacillus
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 20,000 hemophilus infections were reported annually in the United States until 1990. In 30–35% of cases, they were complicated by the addition of neurological disorders, and the mortality rate was 5%. Since the introduction of vaccination against haemophilus influenzae, the incidence has fallen sharply and now stands at about 25–45 cases per 100,000 children. However, the rate of neurological complications among the diseased remains high.
Causes and risk factors
Haemophilus influenzae is found in the nasal cavity and pharynx in 90% of healthy people. The transmission of the microorganism occurs from patients and carriers by airborne droplets.
The highest incidence rates are among the following population groups:
- children of the first years of life;
- elderly people;
- persons with immunodeficiency;
- persons living in poor living conditions;
- children attending nurseries and kindergartens;
- persons suffering from chronic alcoholism;
- representatives of non-European races.
Forms of the disease
According to clinical manifestations, the following types of hemophilic infection are distinguished:
- acute pneumonia;
- purulent arthritis;
- purulent meningitis;
- inflammation of the epiglottis (epiglottitis);
- septicemia;
- cellulite (inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue);
- other diseases (otitis media, sinusitis, pericarditis, pleurisy).
Hemophilic infection is one of the leading causes of pneumonia and meningitis in children
Symptoms
The duration of the incubation period for hemophilic infection has not been established, since the disease often develops in individuals who have been carriers of Pfeiffer's bacillus for a long time. The clinical picture of various forms of hemophilic infection has features.
Purulent meningitis
The disease occurs acutely, it is characterized by:
- an increase in body temperature to high values, accompanied by tremendous chills;
- pain in muscles and joints;
- headaches;
- excruciating nausea;
- repeated vomiting that does not bring relief;
- psychomotor agitation;
- disturbances of consciousness;
- the appearance of shell symptoms (rigidity of the occipital muscles, symptoms of Brudzinsky, Kernig);
- drooping of the upper eyelid;
- strabismus.
Hemophilic pneumonia
The disease begins with signs characteristic of acute respiratory infections. It:
- increased body temperature;
- sore throat;
- general weakness, weakness;
- decreased appetite.
The first signs of hemophilic infection can be easily confused with SARS.
Then, these symptoms are joined by others, indicating the development of an inflammatory process in the lung parenchyma:
- cough;
- dyspnea;
- chest pain.
Hemophilic sepsis
This form of hemophilic infection is mainly observed in children of the first year of life who are bottle-fed. The disease proceeds with lightning speed, begins with a sharp increase in body temperature with tremendous chills. Purulent foci quickly form in the internal organs, a picture of septic shock develops, against the background of which a fatal outcome occurs.
Hemophilic cellulite
The inflammatory process in the subcutaneous tissue, caused by a hemophilic bacillus, is usually localized on the face, much less often affects the limbs. The disease begins with symptoms characteristic of rhinopharyngitis:
- an increase in body temperature to subfebrile values;
- slight general weakness;
- headache;
- sore throat;
- nasal congestion.
Hemophilic cellulitis is characterized by swelling around the orbit
After a while, swelling occurs around the eye socket or in the cheek area. The skin over this swelling turns red and later becomes cyanotic.
Hemophilic epiglottitis
One of the most severe forms of hemophilic infection. The disease begins acutely with the onset of symptoms of severe general intoxication, a rapid rise in body temperature to 38–39 ° C, and increasing respiratory failure due to croup symptoms.
Purulent arthritis
It begins suddenly with manifestations of general intoxication (fever, headache and muscle pain, weakness), then there is a sharp pain in the area of the affected joint. The skin over it swells, becomes hyperemic and hot to the touch. Movement in the affected joint is severely limited.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is confirmed by the results of the following laboratory tests:
- serological diagnostics (determination of the presence of antibodies to Haemophilus influenzae in the blood serum);
- bacteriological examination of cerebrospinal fluid, sputum, pus with an antibioticogram;
- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (allows you to determine the presence of Haemophilus influenzae DNA in the patient's blood).
Serological examination reveals antibodies to Haemophilus influenzae in blood serum
Treatment
Treatment of hemophilic infection begins with the appointment of antibiotics, taking into account the sensitivity of the pathogen. In addition, symptomatic therapy is performed. At high temperatures, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. Severe vomiting and nausea require intravenous glucose and saline solutions.
Possible complications and consequences
The most common complications of hemophilic infection are:
- infectious toxic shock;
- osteomyelitis;
- visual impairment;
- hearing loss and deafness;
- mental disorders;
- asphyxia.
Forecast
The prognosis for hemophilic infection is always serious. The disease often leads to persistent neurological disorders, and in 3% of cases (even with timely and adequate treatment) it is fatal.
Prevention
All carriers of Pfeiffer's bacillus, as well as those who have been in contact with patients, are recommended to undergo chemoprophylaxis by prescribing Rifampicin.
Immunization helps prevent the development of diseases caused by hemocilia
Since 2011, compulsory immunization against hemophilic infection has been carried out in the Russian Federation. The vaccine is given to children aged 2, 4 and 6 months. Revaccination is carried out once every 18 months.
Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author
Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.
Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
