Haemophilus influenzae

HRU offers identification, serological typing and capsular genotyping of strains of Haemophilus influenzae isolated from cases of invasive disease.

Conjugate H.influenzae type b vaccine is routinely offered to all infants in the UK. Typing of strains of Haemophilus influenzae is invaluable in determining whether the strain is H.influenzae type b, that is a vaccine preventable serotype, a non-type b serotype or non-capsulated strain.

HRU requests submission of ALL Haemophilus influenzae isolated from blood culture or other normally sterile sites in patients of ALL ages as part of the surveillance of invasive disease due to H.influenzae and in children aged 0-16 years as part of the surveillance of invasive disease due to H.influenzae and Hib vaccine failures in children. This surveillance is being conducted in collaboration with the Immunisation, Hepatitis and Blood Safety Department, HPA Health Protection Services: Colindale. The laboratory is happy to discuss and advise upon particular clinical or epidemiological problems. Please contact Dr Mary Slack (020 8327 6091)

Turnround time: The turnaround time is 10 days.

The minimum turnround time for H.infuenzae typing and characterisation (date of receipt in HRU to date of issue of written report) is currently 5 working days. The average turnround time for H.influenzae typing and characterisation (date of receipt in HRU to date of issue of written report) is presently 7-12 calendar days.

How to obtain service

Use the Haemophilus Reference Unit request form.R2 Haemophilus reference unit form (PDF, 313 KB)
Haemophilus reference unit form, December 2010


Supply pure culture on chocolate agar slope. Please ensure cap is securely screwed down to optimise survival of organisms. Specimen submission regarded by the sending laboratory as urgent should be notified to HRU by telephone (020 8327 7330/7331) to ensure that the appropriate level of priority is accorded to these specimens immediately upon receipt.

Other information

Identification of Haemophilus influenzae is based upon X and V factor requirement and lack of haemolytic activity on blood agar.

There are 6 capsular serotypes of H.influenzae (a-f) based on the capsular polysaccharide of the organisms. The majority of serious human infections are caused by H.influenzae type b, for which a conjugate vaccine is now available. Other capsular serotypes, notably types e and f and non-capsulated strains can cause serious infections.

HRU liaises with the Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring and Reference Laboratory (ARMRL) and will refer requests for antimicrobial susceptibility testing to ARMRL.

HRU does not offer a routine service for typing or susceptibility testing H.influenzae strains from non-invasive infections. Non invasive isolates of H.influenzae (i.e. isolates from eye swabs, sputum, etc.) will only be examined if there are sound clinical or epidemiological reasons for the investigations. The laboratory is happy to discuss any clinical problem that may warrant further investigation. Please contact Dr Mary Slack (020 8327 6091).

The HRU does NOT carry out tests for Hib antibodies. Hib serology is performed by Professor Ray Borrow, Meningococcal Reference Unit, HPA Microbiology Services, Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership, Clinical Sciences Building 2,Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester,M139WL Please contact Professor Ray Borrow (0161 276 6793) or Dr Mary Slack (020 8327 6091) for further advice on Hib serology.
 

Last reviewed: 24 February 2012