Haemophilus influenza sepsis and shock secondary to biliary infection in an adult.

A 46-year-old woman was seen with biliary obstruction secondary to a pancreatic tumor. After undergoing a percutaneous liver biopsy, she became septic and went into shock. Haemophilus influenzae type be bacteremia and biliary infection were verified. With treatment, the patient recovered from the infection. Biliary infection by H influenzae is rare, and fulminant infections in adults are even more uncommon. Hazards of invasive diagnostic procedures in patients with obstructive jaundice are discussed.