Meningitis caused by strains of Haemophilus influenzae is one of the types of meningitis prevalent in children. Until recently treatment was unsatisfactory and the mortality high. Prior to the advent of type-specific anti-influenzal rabbit serum the mortality varied from 65 to 100 per cent.
Six strains of H. influenzae have been described: a, b, c, d, e and f. Pittman in 1931 emphasized the fact that type b H. influenzae was the strain most commonly causing this type of meningitis. We have observed 1 case of severe meningitis caused by type f H. influenzae. Alexander, Ellis and Leidy1 in an excellent article on H. influenzae infections outlined the biologic characteristics of the organisms and presented a method of treatment similar to the method described in this report.
Before the use of specific serum all patients admitted to the pediatric service of the University of Virginia Hospital with influenzal meningitis