Haemophilus influenzae pathophysiology
Haemophilus influenzae infection Main page |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Pathophysiology
Etiologic agent
- Haemophilus influenzae serotype b
- Haemophilus influenzae, formerly called Pfeiffer's bacillus or Bacillus influenzae, is a non-motile Gram-negative coccobacillus first described in 1892 by Richard Pfeiffer during an influenza pandemic. It is generally aerobic, but can grow as a facultative anaerobe. H. influenzae was mistakenly considered to be the cause of the common flu until 1933, when the viral etiology of the flu became apparent. Still, H. influenzae is responsible for a wide range of clinical diseases.
Transmission
- Direct contact with respiratory droplets from nasopharyngeal carrier or case patient