[The impact of Haemophilus influenzae infections on Mexican children].

A review of Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) infections in Mexico over the past 32 years was conducted. The proportion of Hi isolates in relation to positive cultures for distinct diseases was distributed as follows for meningitis (9-69%) and for pneumonia with empyema (6-28%). There was no difference in the proportion of Hi isolation between under developed countries and the United States. In other diseases such as septic arthritis, epiglottitis, acute otitis media, acute maxillary sinusitis and in the nasopharyngeal carrier state, the information was too limited. The incidence of Hib invasive disease has been almost eliminated in some areas of the world related to the use of Hib conjugated vaccine. It is imperative for the practitioner to be aware of the advantages of Hib vaccine in infancy.