Haemophilus spp., an emerging multidrug-resistant sexually transmitted pathogen

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of patients with a positive urethral sample for Haemophilus spp.

Material and methods: We performed a retrospective study from January 2018 to July 2019 at the Bordeaux university hospital (France) of all urethral samples positive for Haemophilus spp.

Results: Haemophilus spp. was isolated in 10 urethral samples from nine patients. The mean age was 33.8 years. Most patients reported having unprotected sex. Haemophilus parainfluenzae was isolated in nine samples, and Haemophilus influenzae in one sample. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed in five samples; Haemophilus spp. was always resistant to amoxicillin and tetracycline. One patient had persistent symptoms after treatment for a multidrug-resistant Haemophilus parainfluenzae strain.

Conclusion: Haemophilus spp. is a rare pathogen of urethritis. Its responsibility should be considered in case of persistent symptoms. The emergence of multidrug-resistant Haemophilus spp. is becoming problematic.

Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; Haemophilus; Urethritis.