Haemophilus influenzae characterisation
Registry Details
| Area | Health Science |
| Lab name | Invasive Pathogens Laboratory |
| Lab location | Kenepuru Science Centre, Porirua |
| Test name | Haemophilus influenzae characterisation |
| Organisms | Haemophilus influenzae |
| Requested for surveillance | yes |
| Notice required | no |
| Culture requirements | Pure culture |
| Media requirements | Chocolate agar plate/slope |
| Pre-transport requirements | Ambient temperature |
| Transport requirements | Ambient temperature within 24 hours |
| Unacceptable sample types | Mixed culture |
| How results reported | The report includes confirmation of identification of the organism and results of PCRs for Hib gene detection. Results for invasive isolates are notified electronically to EpiSurv. |
| Referral link | Form |
Details
Isolates of Haemophilus influenzae from normally sterile sites are referred to the laboratory for characterisation and disease surveillance.
Until the introduction of the vaccine against H. influenzae serotype b (Hib) in 1994, Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in unvaccinated infants in New Zealand. Incidences of Hib infection in New Zealand are now extremely rare.