Ventriculoperitoneal shunt-associated infection due to Haemophilus influenzae.

We report two children with ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections due to Haemophilus influenzae, type b. One child was cured with systemic and intraventricular antimicrobial therapy alone. The other child had persistently positive ventricular fluid cultures, ultimately required shunt removal in addition to antimicrobial therapy, and still had a relapse, which responded to antimicrobial therapy alone. In treating children with this problem we recommend removal of the shunt apparatus unless there is prompt sterilization of ventricular fluid and clinical improvement. Systemic antimicrobial therapy should be continued for two to four weeks.