Current status of Haemophilus influenzae infections in pediatrics.

Haemophilus influenzae is the main pathogen in community-acquired infection s in children. Prior to the introduction of H. influenzae type b immunizati on (Hib), capsular type b H. influenzae was the most invasive type of H. in fluenzae, and was the major cause of meningitis in children in France and m any developing countries. The introduction of a Hib vaccine program results in rapid and dramatic decline in the incidence of Hib infections in childr en. The resistance rate to beta-lactam antibiotics is slowly increasing wit h beta-lactamase production. Third generation cephalosporins are used for t he treatment of invasive infection (meningitis etc.). The empiric treatment of otitis and respiratory tract infections in children is the combination of clavulanic acid and amoxicillin or third generation cephalosporins. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.