type a as a cause of paediatric septic arthritis.

INTRODUCTION

Incidence rates of invasive serotype b disease have decreased significantly since the introduction of the Hib vaccine; however, the rates in indigenous populations remain disproportionately high, specifically in the paediatric population. Additionally, with the decline of type b invasive infections, there has been a rebound in the incidence of invasive infections caused by other strains of , particularly serotype a.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a paediatric case of septic arthritis caused by type a in a toddler that was fully resolved following antibiotic therapy. This report adds to other reports of septic arthritis in indigenous populations as shown through a review of recently documented type a septic arthritis cases.

CONCLUSION

Socio-economic risk factors for invasive type a disease, such as poverty, poor housing conditions, overcrowding, smoking and substance abuse during pregnancy, as well as the need for type a immunization of vulnerable populations, are discussed.