Trends in Haemophilus influenzae type b infections in adults in England and Wales: surveillance study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections in individuals aged 15 years or older in England and Wales between 1991 and 2003. DESIGN: Prospective, laboratory based surveillance of invasive Hib infections and cross sectional seroprevalence study. SETTING: England and Wales. PARTICIPANTS: Cases were confirmed by isolation of H influenzae from a normally sterile site, or from a non-sterile site in cases with a diagnosis of epiglottitis. Excess serum samples collected from English 30-39 year olds as part of a national serosurvey were identified for the years 1990, 1994, 1997, 2000, and 2002. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of invasive Hib infections from 1991..