Invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection in an adult patient with a selective deficiency of antibody to the Hib capsular polysaccharide

Clin Infect Dis. 1997 Oct;25(4):915-7. doi: 10.1086/515538.

Abstract

A 31-year-old woman without any underlying disease contracted severe invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection but developed no antibodies to the Hib capsular polysaccharide. Serum immunoglobulin levels were normal, but she had an isolated deficiency of antibody to Hib. Subsequently, immunization with a tetanus toxoid-conjugated Hib vaccine induced only a minimal response. However, she had a protective level of antibody (> 1 microgram/mL) after the fifth vaccination.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Female
  • Haemophilus Infections / immunology*
  • Haemophilus Infections / microbiology
  • Haemophilus Infections / therapy
  • Haemophilus Vaccines / immunology*
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / immunology*
  • Immunotherapy

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Haemophilus Vaccines
  • Immunoglobulins
  • bacterial polysaccharide immune globulin