Brazilian purpuric fever identified in a new region of Brazil. The Brazilian Purpuric Fever Study Group.

Brazilian purpuric fever (BPF) is a life-threatening pediatric infection that is preceded by conjunctivitis and caused by Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius. BPF was first recognized during 1984 in the state of Sao Paulo. BPF was not reported in Brazil outside of Sao Paulo and the neighboring state of Parana until December 1989, when children with BPF were identified in the state of Mato Grosso. By April 1990, 10 children with confirmed BPF were identified from six widely separated cities in Mato Grosso. The overall attack rate for the combined population was 6/100,000 children less than 10 years of age. Six (60%) of the 10 children with BPF died. The recognition of BPF in Mato Grosso suggests that the H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius strain responsible for BPF has a wider geographic distribution than previously appreciated or may be capable of spreading.