Abstract
Haemophilus influenzae
is a relevant cause of morbidity and mortality among children under 5 years of age in the developing world. In Latin America,
H. influenzae
type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine
and surveillance of
H. influenzae
antimicrobial susceptibility have been implemented in recent years. We have undertaken a systematic review and a pooled analysis on
H. influenzae
antimicrobial
resistance, including reports of 15 Latin America countries over a 10-year period (1990-2000). We have found that 450 (21.4%) of 2,100 invasive isolates were
β
-lactamase producers compared to
145 (14.5%) of 998 isolates of noninvasive isolates (
p
p
p
β
-lactamase-producing strains were stable in Brazil and Mexico, whereas rates of TMP-SMX resistance
were increasing in Brazil. It is predictable that following the Hib immunization, Latin America countries will be faced with increased nontypeable
H. influenzae
infection. Although standing by the
nontypeable
H. influenzae
vaccine, in this novel epidemiological scenario of post-Hib vaccination in Latin America settings there is a need to improve
H. influenzae
resistance monitoring to
guide clinicians to choose efficacious antimicrobial therapy.