Characteristic features of type B Haemophilus Influenzae-caused purulent meningitis in children

Aim. To study the clinical peculiar features of type b Haemophilus influenza-caused purulent meningites among children in Perm. Materials and methods. Twenty children with purulent meningitis were examined. Clinical and bacteriological studies, latex-agglutination reaction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used. Results. Most patients with Hib-meningitis (70 %) were hospitalized in grave condition during the first three days of disease with fever, meningeal symptoms. Spastic syndrome was diagnosed in 5 patients, disseminated intravascular clotting syndrome – in 6 patients. Conclusions. Hib-meningitis in 80 % of cases is developing in children aged under two, has an acute onset and severe course with general cerebral and meningeal symptoms, changes in blood and liquor, typical for bacterial infection, high neutrophilic pleocytosis and hyperproteinorrhea; it is frequently accompanied by complications. In etiological diagnosis of Hib-meningitis PCR is the most informative method.