Clinical and microbiological features of Hoemophilus influenzae vulvovaginitis in young girls

Aims: To define the clinical and microbiological features of vulvovaginitis in prepubertal girls whose genital swabs yielded Hoemophilus influenzae. Methods: Laboratory based study and retrospective collection of clinical data from the requesting doctors. Results: Thirty eight isolates of non-capsulate Hoemophilus influenzae and one of H parainfluenzae were isolated from 32 girls aged 18 months to 11 years. No other pathogens, such as 3 hoemolytic streptococci or yeasts, were present with H influenzae. The most common biotype was biotype 11, comprising 57% of the 26 isolates biotyped. Six children had more than one episode of vulvovaginitis caused by H influenzoe and a total of 14 children had recurrent vaginal symptoms. Conclusion: Children who have H influenzae vulvovaginitis are at risk of recurrent symptoms. Biotype 11 is the one most commonly associated with this condition.