Hostname: page-component-cb9f654ff-r5d9c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-08-07T09:18:12.828Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in the Republic of Ireland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

J. Fogarty ,
A. C. Moloney  and
J. B. Newell
J. Fogarty*
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health Medicine, Western Health Board, 25 Newcastle Road, Galway
A. C. Moloney
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Regional Hospital, Waterford
J. B. Newell
Affiliation:
Department of Statistics, University College, Galway
*
* Correspondence and reprint requests to: Dr J. Fogarty, Western Health Board, 25 Newcastle Road, Galway.
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

A 2-year case-control study was conducted to describe the epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and investigate Hib disease risk factors in the Republic of Ireland. Between October 1991 and September 1993, 149 laboratory confirmed incident cases were matched with community controls. Annual Hib disease incidence was 25·4 per 100000 children under 5 years, with peak incidence (65·8 per 100000) in the 6–11 months age-group. Meningitis was the predominant clinical condition. Twenty-four (16·1%) isolates were resistant to ampicillin. Crèche or day-care attendance and the presence of chronic illness emerged as risk factors for Hib disease. Empirical first line treatment for suspected Hib infection warrants alternatives to ampicillin such as cefotaxime. Completed immunization with Hib conjugate vaccine by 6 months of age is required for maximum disease prevention. Until all children are receiving Hib vaccine on schedule, those who are crèche or day-care attendees and those with chronic illness should be prioritized for timely immunization.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 114 , Issue 3 , June 1995 , pp. 451 - 463
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

References

REFERENCES

1.Bijlmer, HA. World-wide epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae meningitis; industrialized versus non-industrialized countries. Vaccine 1991; 9: S5–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.Claesson, BA. Epidemiology of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in Scandinavia. Vaccine 1993: 11 (Suppl. 1): S30–3.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Wenger, JD, Hightower, AW, Facklam, RR, Gaventa, S, Broome, CV. Bacterial meningitis in the United States, 1986: Report of a Multistage Surveillance Study. J Infect Dis 1990; 162: 1316–23.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Tudor-Williams, G, Frankland, J, Isaacs, D et al. , Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in the Oxford region. Arch Dis Child 1989; 64: 517–9.Google Scholar
5.Howard, AJ, Dunkin, KT, Musser, JM, Palmer, SR. Epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae type b invasive disease in Wales. BMJ 1991; 303: 441–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Gilbert, GL. Epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in Australia and New Zealand. Vaccine 1991; 9 (Suppl.): S10–3.Google Scholar
7.Trollfors, B, Claesson, BA, Strangert, K, Taranger, J. Haemophilus influenzae meningitis in Sweden 1981–1983. Arch Dis Child 1987; 62: 1220–3.Google Scholar
8.Nazareth, B, Slack, MPE, Howard, AJ, Waight, PA, Begg, NT. A survey of invasive Haemophilus influenzae infections. Commun Dis Rep 1992: 2: R13–6.Google Scholar
9.Murphy, TV, Granoff, DM, Pierson, LM et al. , Invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in children < 5 years of age in Minnesota and in Dallas County, Texas, 1983–1984. J Infect Dis 1992; 165 (Suppl. 1): S7–10.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Wilfert, CM. Epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae type b infections. Pediatrics 1990: 85 (Suppl.): S631–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Kristensen, K, Kaaber, K, Ronne, T, Larsen, SO, Henrichsen, J. Epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae type b infections among children in Denmark in 1985 and 1986. Acta Paediatr Scand 1990; 79: 587–92.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12.Reinert, P, Liwartowski, A, Dabernat, H, Guyot, C, Boucher, J, Carrere, C. Epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in France. Vaccine 1993; 11 (Suppl. 1): S38–42.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Brewster, D. The epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae invasive disease in Scotland prior to immunisation. Health Bull 1993; 51: 385–93.Google ScholarPubMed
14.Santosham, M, Rivin, B, Wolff, M et al. . Prevention of Haemophilus influenzae type b infections in Apache and Navajo children. J Infect Dis 1992: 165 (Suppl. 1): S144–51.Google Scholar
15.Ward, JI, Margolis, HS, Lum, MK, Fraser, DW, Bender, TR, Anderson, P. Haemophilus influenzae disease in Alaskan Eskimos: characteristics of a population with an unusual incidence of invasive disease. Lancet 1981; 1: 1281–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.Hansman, D, Hanna, J, Morey, F. High prevalence of invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease in Central Australia, 1986. Lancet. 1986; ii: 927.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17.Petersen, GM, Silimperi, DR, Rotter, JI et al. . Genetic factors in Haemophilus influenzae type b disease susceptibility and antibody acquisition. J Pediatr 1987: 110: 228–33.Google Scholar
18.Petersen, GM, Silimperi, DR, Scott, EM, Hall, DB, Rotter, JI, Ward, JI. Uridine monophosphate kinase 3: a genetic marker for susceptibility to Haemophilus influenzae type b disease. Lancet 1985; ii: 417–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19.Cochi, SL, Fleming, DW, Hightower, AW et al. . Primary invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease: a population-based assessment of risk factors. J Pediatr 1986; 108: 887–96.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20.Takala, AK, Eskola, J, Palmgren, J et al. , Risk factors of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease among children in Finland. J Pediatr 1989. 115: 694–701.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21.Istre, GR, Conner, JS, Broome, CV, Hightower, A, Hopkins, RS. Risk factors for primary invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease: Increased risk from day care attendance and school-aged household members. J Pediatr 1985; 106: 190–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22.Takala, AK, Clements, DA. Socioeconomic risk factors for invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease. J Infect Dis 1992: 165 (Suppl. 1): S11–5.Google Scholar
23.Recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP). Haemophilus b conjugate vaccines for prevention of Haemophilus influenzae type b disease among infants and children two months of age and older. MMWR 1991: 40: RR1–7.Google Scholar
24.Booy, R, Moxon, ER. Immunisation of infants against Haemophilus influenzae type b in the UK. Arch Dis Child 1991; 66: 1251–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25.Peltola, H, Kilpi, T, Anttila, M. Rapid disappearance of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis after routine childhood immunisation with conjugate vaccines. Lancet 1992; 340: 592–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26.Eskola, J, Takala, A, Kayhty, H, Peltola, H, Makela, PH. Experience in Finland with Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines. Vaccine 1991: 9 (Suppl.): S14–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
27.Adams, WG, Deaver, KA, Cochi, SL et al. . Decline of childhood Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease in the Hib vaccine era. JAMA 1993; 269: 221–6.Google Scholar
28.Census 1991. Central Statistics Office. Dublin.Google Scholar
29.Murphy, JFA. The introduction of Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib) vaccine. Ir Med J 1992: 85: 128.Google Scholar
30.Dean, AG, Dean, JA, Burton, AH, Dicker, RC. Epi Info Version 5: a word processing, database, and statistics program for epidemiology on microcomputers. USD Incorporated. Stone Mountain. Georgia. 1990.Google Scholar
31.Johnson, Z, Jennings, S, Fogarty, J et al. . Behavioural risk factors among young adults in small areas with high mortality versus those in low-mortality areas. International J Epidemiol 1991; 20: 989–96.Google Scholar
32.O'Hare, A. A note on a proposed census based Irish social class scale for epidemiological health research. Econom Soc Rev 1982; 13: 205–16.Google Scholar
33.BMDP Program LR. PC90. BMDP Statistical Software Incorporated, 1440 Sepulveda Boulevard. Suite 316. Los Angeles, California 90025.Google Scholar
34.Bijlmer, HA, van Alphen, L. A prospective, population-based study of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in The Gambia and the possible consequences. J Infect Dis 1992: 165 (Suppl.): S29–32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
35.Thomas, WJ, McReynolds, JW, Mock, CR, Bailey, DW. Ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae meningitis. Lancet 1974: i: 313.Google Scholar
36.White, JM, Leon, S, Begg, NT. ‘COVER’ (Cover of vaccination evaluated rapidly): 28. Commun Dis Rep 1994: 4: R18–9.Google ScholarPubMed