A 5-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department by his parents for severe respiratory distress. He has not received any immunizations due to parental preference, and his medical history is otherwise unremarkable. The patient appears very uncomfortable and anxious. He is leaning forward and making a loud, harsh sound with every inspiration. Temperature is 39.6 C (103.4 F). The patient is intubated immediately. During intubation, the epiglottis is visualized and appears markedly swollen and erythematous. Which of the following is a major virulence factor of the pathogen causing this patient's infection?

Question

A 5-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department by his parents for severe respiratory distress.  He has not received any immunizations due to parental preference, and his medical history is otherwise unremarkable.  The patient appears very uncomfortable and anxious.  He is leaning forward and making a loud, harsh sound with every inspiration.  Temperature is 39.6 C (103.4 F).  The patient is intubated immediately.  During intubation, the epiglottis is visualized and appears markedly swollen and erythematous.  Which of the following is a major virulence factor of the pathogen causing this patient's infection?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Polyribosylribitol phosphate is a capsule component and major virulence factor for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).  Hib is the most common cause of epiglottitis, which presents with fever, stridor, and dyspnea.

A 5-Year-Old Boy Is Brought to the Emergency Department by His