Haemophilus influenzae: recent advances in the understanding of molecular pathogenesis and polymicrobial infections.

Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a human-specific mucosal pathogen and one of the most common causes of bacterial infections in children and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is also frequently found in polymicrobial superinfections. Great strides have recently been made in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying NTHi pathogenesis.