Haemophilus influenzae

Haemophilus influenzae is a small Gram-negative bacterium that can colonize the human respiratory tract and cause infections ranging from ear infections to meningitis.

Polyribosylribitol phosphate: A polysaccharide that forms the capsule of Haemophilus influenzae type b and helps it evade immune defenses. This capsule is the main virulence factor behind invasive type b disease.
Hib vaccine: A conjugate vaccine that protects against invasive disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b. It sharply reduced type b meningitis and other invasive infections.
Haemophilus influenzae meningitis: An infection of the meninges caused by Haemophilus influenzae, historically often due to type b. Before widespread Hib vaccination, this was a major cause of childhood bacterial meningitis.
Haemophilus haemolyticus: A close relative of Haemophilus influenzae that commonly colonizes the upper respiratory tract. It can be mistaken for H. influenzae in laboratory identification.
Haemophilus: A genus of small Gram-negative bacteria that includes human respiratory tract organisms. H. influenzae is the genus's best-known human pathogen.
IgA protease: A bacterial enzyme that cleaves immunoglobulin A at mucosal surfaces. H. influenzae uses IgA protease to weaken antibody defenses in the respiratory tract.
Haemophilus influenzae type b: A capsulated strain of Haemophilus influenzae that can cause severe invasive disease. Type b is the strain targeted by routine Hib vaccination.
Epiglottitis: Inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis that can obstruct the airway. Hib was a major cause of childhood epiglottitis before vaccination became routine.
Streptococcus pneumoniae: A Gram-positive bacterium that causes pneumonia, meningitis, and other infections. It shares respiratory and invasive disease niches but differs in cell structure and vaccines.
Richard Pfeiffer: A German bacteriologist who described the bacterium later named Haemophilus influenzae. His early association of the organism with influenza helped give it its name.

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