Abstract
Brazilian Purpuric Fever (BPF) is a fulminant pediatric disease characterized by conjunctivitis, fever, purpura, hypotensive shock and death. The illness is caused by Haemophilus influenzae biotype aegyptius (Hae), a bacterium which was formerly associated with only self-limited purulent conjunctivitis. The virulence factors of Hae are not yet fully known. BPF has been detected in Brazil,…