Importance of the Role of Haemophilus No Ducreyi Isolates in Female Genital Tract and Its Clinical Relationship

Background: The isolation of new pathogens in clinical samples from the genital tract of sub-jects with suspected infection, such as Haemophilus no ducreyi (HND) species, is becoming more frequent. The objective of this work is to analyze the pathogenic role and the clinical importance of the isolation of these species in female genital tract. Patients and methods: We carried out an observational, descriptive, and retrospective study from a Hospital in Granada (Spain). HND isolates in female genital samples between 2016 and 2019 from specialized care were studied. Clinical, epidemiological, and microbiological variables of clinical episodes of adult women and girls were analyzed. Results: Forty-five (25 women and 20 girls) isolates of HND were found, corresponding to 1%; the most frequent specie was Haemophilus influenzae (64.4%). In women, leukorrhea and abdominal pain was frequent and in 72% there was a polymicrobial isolate. In girls, it was frequently in isolation, with the presence of vulvovaginal erythema, pathological discharge, and local itching. We highlight the high rate of resistance of Haemophilus parainfluenzae to azithromycin (72.7%) and cotrimoxazole (18.2%) in adult women, in contrast to resistance to azithromycin in girls (25%). Conclusions: H. influenzae and H. parainfluenzae should be considered as a possible etiolo-gical agent in cases of vaginitis and cervicitis in adult women, as well as in suspected pelvic inflammatory disease. In girls, H. influenzae represents one of the microbiological agents within the etiologies of vulvovaginal infections. We highlight the rate of resistance to azithromycin in H. parainfluenzae and to cotrimoxazole in both species. & COPY; 2023 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.