DISEASE(S) AND SYMPTOMS

• irritation of the conjunctivae of the eyes, followed by edema of the eyelids, photophobia, and mucopurulent discharge

• high fever appears 3 to 15 days after conjunctivitis, along with vomiting and purpura

• case fatality rate is 70 percent, with death occurring shortly after onset of systemic symptoms

• disease was first recognized in 1984

DIAGNOSIS

• microscopic examination of bacterial culture of conjunctival discharge

• detection of organism in the blood

INFECTIOUS AGENT

• Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius, a bacterium

MODE OF TRANSMISSION

• contact with the conjunctival or respiratory discharges of infected persons

• eye flies are suspected mechanical vectors

DISTRIBUTION

• nearly all reported cases of Brazilian purpuric fever have occurred in southern Brazil (most cases have been in young children)

• one case was reported from Australia

INCUBATION PERIOD AND COMMUNICABILITY

• incubation period is unknown

• disease is communicable for the duration of active infection

TREATMENT

• high-dose intravenous antibiotics: ampicillin, chloramphenicol

PREVENTION AND CONTROL

• prompt treatment of patients and close contacts

• avoidance of exposure to eye flies

• possibly vector control

FACTORS FACILITATING EMERGENCE

• possibly an increase in bacterial virulence due to mutation