Invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in the Valencian Community,Spain

The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of systemic Haemo philus influenzae type b (Hib) disease in the Valencian Community, Spain, a nd to study the microbiological characteristics of the strains. Prospective, active surveillance of children in the Valencian Community. Da ta were obtained from microbiology laboratories and paediatricians. A case was considered when a child younger than 15 years of age had clinical invas ive disease and a Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) was isolated from a normally sterile site, or when a positive capsular antigen was identified with a com patible Gram strain. In the first year of surveillance, starting on December 1, 24 cases were id entified. Of the 20 strains studied in our laboratory, 19 were serotype b a nd one non typable. 75% of the strains were beta-lactamase positive. Mening itis was the most frequent clinical presentation. All children were less th an five, and 51.2% were less than one year of age. The mortality was 8.3%. For unvaccinated children less than 5 years the estimated incidence of inva sive disease was 18.2/100,000 and of meningitis 14.0/100,000. The incidence of Hib invasive disease in unvaccinated children justifies th e universal Hib vaccine programme in the Valencian Community.