AUTHOR=Pickering Janessa , Richmond Peter C. , Kirkham Lea-Ann S. 

TITLE=Molecular tools for differentiation of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae from Haemophilus haemolyticus

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=5

YEAR=2014

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2014.00664

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2014.00664

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Non-typeable <italic>Haemophilus influenzae</italic> (NTHi) and <italic>Haemophilus haemolyticus</italic> are closely related bacteria that reside in the upper respiratory tract. NTHi is associated with respiratory tract infections that frequently result in antibiotic prescription whilst <italic>H. haemolyticus</italic> is rarely associated with disease. NTHi and <italic>H. haemolyticus</italic> can be indistinguishable by traditional culture methods and molecular differentiation has proven difficult. This current review chronologically summarizes the molecular approaches that have been developed for differentiation of NTHi from <italic>H. haemolyticus</italic>, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each target and/or technique. We also provide suggestions for the development of new tools that would be suitable for clinical and research laboratories.</p>