In a previous study, we reported that a 5-kilobase Haemophilus influenza DNA fragment involved in penicillin-binding protein expression could be used as a probe for specific detection of H. influenza strains (F. Malouin and L. E. Bryan, Mol. Cell. Probes 1:221-232, 1987). Here, we report the ability of this probe to detect H. influenza in clinical specimens. In a bacterial dot experiment, there was strong hybridization of the 32P-labeled probe to nonencapsulated and serotype a through f H. influenzae strains. The detection of H. influenza in body fluids was then evaluated by using pooled human serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and sputum as dilution media for H. influenzae, Haemophilus aegyptius, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, and Escherichia coli cells. At 65°C, the probe hybridized to H. influenza and H. aegyptius (.10 cells) in all fluids. There was no hybridization with the E. coli negative control, and H. parainfluenzae hybridized when 2107 cells were used. Experiments performed at 73 and 80°C permitted elimination of H. parainfluenzae hybridization.