In San Francisco, a 3-year-old boy named Luke was admitted to the hospital after an abrupt onset of fever and a generalized seizure. The boy's cerebrospinal fluid was normal, but his white blood cell count was 20,000mmIn San Francisco, a 3-year-old boy named Luke was admitted to the hospital after an abrupt onset of fever and a generalized seizure. The boy's cerebrospinal fluid was normal, but his white blood cell count was 20,000mm² (normal is 5,000-10,000 ), with 85% polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Luke's blood culture revealed bacteremia (bacteria in the blood). The bacteria were identified as "nontypeable" Haemophilus influenzae. The nontypeable H. influenzae strain was beta-lactamase positive, but proved sensitive to cefixime, a third-generation cephalosporin. The diagnosis surprised the boy's two fathers. They showed the doctor Luke's full record of immunizations and booster shots, including the standard DTaP, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib).Short answer question: Why was Luke not protected by the Hib vaccine?
O Hib vaccine protected only from H. influenzae type b. There are other strains or serotypes, a-f, are "typed" based on the type of polysaccharide capsule surrounding the cell envelope.
O Luke has an immunodeficiency disorder that does not allow him to develop antibodies
O Luke has an autoimmune disease that allows him to resist vaccine