Brazilian purpuric fever

**Definition:** A disease affecting children, caused by an infection with the gram-negative bacteria Haemophilus aegyptius (Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius). This disease is characterised by fever, nausea, vomiting, purpuric lesions, and sepsis, that is preceded by conjunctivitis. Transmission may be by mechanical transmission from infected eye gnats, contact with discharge from infected individuals, or fomites used near the eyes. Confirmation is by identification of Haemophilus aegyptius from blood.

**Long definition:** This is an illness of children caused by the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius which is often fatal due to sepsis.

**Inclusions:** - Systemic Haemophilus aegyptius infection