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Bordetella pertussis and mixed infections
F G A Versteegh1, E A N M Mooi-Kokenberg, J F P Schellekens
1Department of Pediatrics, Groene Hart Ziekenhuis, Gouda, The Netherlands. versteegh@linuxmail.org
Minerva Pediatrica
|July 13, 2006
Summary
Coinfection with other respiratory pathogens is common in pertussis (whooping cough) cases. This study found that nearly 30% of pertussis infections had evidence of additional pathogens, suggesting mixed infections are frequent.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) is a significant respiratory infection.
- Diagnosis typically focuses on Bordetella pertussis, often overlooking coinfections.
- Mixed infections may lead to more severe disease presentations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of coinfections with other respiratory pathogens in laboratory-confirmed Bordetella pertussis cases.
- To investigate the frequency of co-occurring infections in patients presenting with pertussis-like symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study analyzing serological data from two groups of patients with confirmed Bordetella pertussis.
- Group 1: 51 episodes from 50 patients in long-term follow-up.
- Group 2: 31 patients from routine practice with positive pertussis serology.
Main Results:
- Coinfection was detected in 23 out of 82 (28%) Bordetella pertussis infections.
- Identified coinfecting pathogens included para-influenza virus, RSV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, adenovirus, and influenza A and B viruses.
- Most cases (21/23) had one additional pathogen, while two cases had two additional pathogens.
Conclusions:
- Coinfection with other respiratory pathogens is frequently present in patients diagnosed with Bordetella pertussis.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering and potentially testing for mixed infections in pertussis cases.
- Further research may be warranted to understand the clinical impact of these coinfections.
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