Verification of the presence of capsule gene sequences in nasopharyngeal isolates of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae from healthy children at a Brazilian day care center

Abstract

Fifty-eight nasopharyngeal isolates of Haemophilus influenzae were collected from healthy children at a day care center, and nontypeable isolates were examined by Southern blot for the presence of capsule gene sequences. Seven isolates (12%) demonstrated homology with capsule-specific sequences. One isolate was characterized as an H. influenzae type b capsule-deficient strain.