First report of pediatric bacterial meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae serotype e in Japan: A case report.

The article focuses on a case of invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease (IHiD) caused by serotype e (Hie) in an 8-month-old girl who developed bacterial meningitis despite being vaccinated against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). The patient presented with fever, vomiting, and impaired consciousness, and was diagnosed with meningitis after cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed Gram-negative bacilli. The strain was identified as sequence type 850 (ST850) and was resistant to β-lactam antibiotics. Following surgical intervention and appropriate antibiotic therapy, the patient showed favorable recovery, with no further episodes of meningitis reported during a three-year follow-up. The case highlights the emergence of Hie as a potential cause of meningitis in vaccinated populations and the importance of recognizing serotype shifts in the post-vaccination era. [Extracted from the article]