Brazilian purpuric fever is caused by?
A. Haemophilus haemolyticus
B. Haemophilus aphrophilus
C. Haemophilus aegyptius
D. Haemophilus parainfluenzae
Correct answer : C. Haemophilus aegyptius
Haemophilus colonies on blood agarHaemophilus colonies on blood agar
Brazilian purpuric fever is caused by Haemophilus aegyptius.
It is characterised by conjunctivitis which proceeds to fulminant septicemia in infants and children.
There is high fatality.
It was first recognized in Brazil in 1984.
Ref: Ananthanarayan and Paniker’s Textbook of Microbiology, 9th edition, p330,331.
Image credits: CDC Public Health Image Library