[Haemophilus infections in pediatrics. Characterization of strains by biotype, serotype and the production of beta-lastamase].

During 1980 and 1981, an epidemiological survey (biotyping, serotyping, beta-lactamase production) of Haemophilus strains isolated in our hospital was performed. One hundred sixty-one Haemophilus were isolated among 146 patients: 17 H. parainfluenzae and 144 H. influenzae. Most of the infections occurred in patients, under 3 years old (77%), during cold weather (63%), and in males (55%). Biotypes I, II and III were the most common isolates (88%). Capsulated strains were frequent (53%). A beta-lactamase occurred in 9, 5% of cases. Distribution of serotypes and biotypes will be discussed in relation to clinical findings (meningitis: 21, septicemia from other origins: 9, arthritis: 2, and other non-systemic infections).