Bacteraemic Haemophilus influenzae type B pneumonia complicated with empyema--report of a case and review of literature

A case of bacteraemic pneumonia complicated with pleural empyema due to Haemophilus influenzae type b is reported in a one-year old previously healthy child who had apparently no other associated medical condition. The organism was isolated from both the pleural fluid aspirate and blood of the patient with pneumonia. She was successfully treated with parenteral ampicillin and chloramphenicol alongwith intercostal chest tube drainage. The case is notable because it adds to the existing disease spectrum of invasive Hib diseases and brings awareness to the existing burden of the disease in Asia. In addition, it reflects the urgent need to include Hib vaccine in the current immunization program in India.