[Haemophilus influenzae in respiratory pathology in adults].

Fifty patients were diagnosed bronchopulmonary Haemophilus infections, because of the production of a purulent sputum, containing at least 10(8) Haemophilus influenzae per ml. Among them were 36 males (average 52 years old) and 14 females (average 58 years old). There was a high percentage (64%) of smokers (over 30 packs/year) within this population, which also included heavy drinkers. The top incidence occurred in winter and spring. Most cases were related to an acute infection in a chronic bronchitis (26 cases). The other cases included 6 cancers, 6 sequelae of tuberculosis, 4 bronchiectasis, 4 asthma, and only 3 pulmonary consolidations. There usually was a low grade fever (only 8 cases reached or went beyond 38 degrees, while in 29 cases the body temperature kept below 38 degrees). The return to a normal temperature was obtained after 4 to 10 days of ampicillin therapy, with no fatal case within this series. The 50 strains were studied by the microbiology laboratory. The minimum inhibitory concentrations showed an elective response to ampicillin and erythromycin, and a less dramatic response to chloramphenicol and tetracyclin. Some strains were proved resistant (MIC over 4 micrograms per ml) to cefoxitin and cefamandole.