Species of the Day

“Haemophilus Influenzae”

-Name, classification, shape, habitat

-unique features
-significance/applications

Minimum of 5 slides only

Haemophilus Influenzae

● Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) is a type of bacteria that can cause

various infections.

Classification: Haemophilus influenzae is classified based on whether it has a

capsule:

1. Encapsulated: (e.g., H. influenzae type b - Hib)

- Associated with severe diseases.
- Target of the Hib vaccine.

2. Non-Encapsulated (Non-typeable):
- Lacks a capsule.
- Often linked to milder infections.

This classification helps understand the bacterium's virulence and guides vaccine
strategies.

Shape: It is a pleomorphic bacterium, which means it can change its shape from
cocci (spherical) to bacilli (rod-shaped) forms.

Habitat: H. influenzae is a normal inhabitant of the human respiratory tract. It

colonizes the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and throat, in healthy
individuals. It can also be found in the genital tract and the gastrointestinal tract.

Unique Features:
1. Capnophilic: H. influenzae requires an increased level of carbon dioxide (CO2)
for optimal growth. It grows best in an environment with 5-10% CO2, which is
higher than the atmospheric level.

2. Facultatively anaerobic: It can grow both in the presence and absence of

oxygen.

3. Pathogenicity: H. influenzae can cause a range of infections, including ear

infections, sinusitis, specially, Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) that cause
severe invasive diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream
infections. The severity of the infections can vary from mild to severe, with young
children being more susceptible.

Source:

- Cleveland Clinic
(https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23106-haemophilus-influenzae)

- CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/hi-disease/index.html)

- Wikipedia (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haemophilus_influenzae)

- NCBI Bookshelf (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562176/)

Significance/ Application

Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) has several significant applications and

clinical implications. Here are some of them:

1. Disease-causing agent: H. influenzae is known to cause various infections in

humans, including ear infections, sinusitis, pneumonia, meningitis, and
bloodstream infections. These infections can range from mild to severe, and they
primarily affect young children and individuals with weakened immune systems.
2. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine: The development of the
Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine has significantly reduced the incidence
of invasive disease, including meningitis, demonstrating the importance of
vaccination in public health.

3. Research and study: H. influenzae is extensively studied in the field of

microbiology and infectious diseases. Researchers investigate its pathogenic
mechanisms, antibiotic resistance patterns, and vaccine development strategies
to better understand and combat H. influenzae infections.

4. Commensal organism: H. influenzae is a normal inhabitant of the human

respiratory tract, particularly the nose and throat. It exists as a commensal
organism in most healthy adults. Studying the interactions between H. influenzae
and the human host can provide insights into the dynamics of microbial
colonization and potential strategies for preventing pathogenic infections.

5. Antibiotic resistance surveillance: H. influenzae has shown increasing

resistance to antibiotics over time. Monitoring the antibiotic resistance patterns of
H. influenzae strains is crucial for guiding appropriate treatment strategies and
ensuring effective management of infections caused by this bacterium.

It's important to note that while H. influenzae can cause infections, it also has
non-pathogenic strains that exist as commensal organisms in the human body.
The significance of H. influenzae lies in its role as a pathogen and its implications
for public health.

Sources:

- NCBI Bookshelf - Haemophilus influenzae Infection

- NCBI - Clinical Significance and Characterization of Haemophilus influenzae

- NCBI - A review of the role of Haemophilus influenzae in community-acquired

pneumonia

- NCBI - Haemophilus influenzae and the lung

- UpToDate - Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of
Haemophilus influenzae

GLOSSARY:

Gram negative - Gram-negative bacteria have a thinner outer layer in their cell
walls, making them unable to retain a violet stain in the Gram staining process.
They often possess an outer membrane and include common examples like E.
coli and P. aeruginosa.

Gram Staining process - Gram staining is a microbiological technique used to

differentiate bacteria into two groups: Gram-positive and Gram-negative. The
process involves staining bacterial cells with crystal violet, iodine solution, and a
counterstain like safranin. Gram-positive bacteria retain the violet stain,
appearing purple under a microscope, while Gram-negative bacteria do not and
appear pink or red. This staining helps in identifying and classifying bacteria
based on differences in their cell wall structures.

Violet Stain - The violet stain used in the Gram staining process is called crystal
violet. It is the primary stain in the procedure and is applied to bacterial cells. In
Gram-positive bacteria, the crystal violet binds to the thick peptidoglycan layer in
the cell wall, causing them to retain the violet color during the staining process.
However, in Gram-negative bacteria, the thinner peptidoglycan layer does not
effectively retain the violet stain.

Non-motile - This means it lacks the ability to move using flagella or other
motility structures. Movement is a characteristic often associated with certain
bacteria, but not all bacteria, including H. influenzae, exhibit motility.

Flagella - They are used for movement, allowing the cell to propel itself in a
liquid environment

Genus Haemophilus - Consist of Bacteria

Pasteurellaceae - In simple terms, Pasteurellaceae is a family of bacteria. This
family includes various species that can be found in the respiratory and digestive
tracts of animals, and some can cause diseases in both animals and humans.

Pleomorphic Bacterium - In simple terms, a pleomorphic bacterium is one that

can change its shape or form. Unlike bacteria with a fixed shape, pleomorphic
bacteria have variable shapes, which can include different sizes and forms within
the same species.

Gastrointestinal Tract - The gastrointestinal tract, in simple terms, is the long

tube in the body where food goes after it is eaten. It includes the stomach and
intestines, where digestion and absorption of nutrients take place.