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[Bordetella pertussis detection by real-time PCR, immunofluorescence and culture: prospective evaluation and

Jesús García-Martínez1, Fernando Chaves, Efrén Salto

  • 1Servicio de Microbiología. Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre. Madrid. España.

Enfermedades Infecciosas Y Microbiologia Clinica
|September 22, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Real-time PCR is more effective for diagnosing pertussis than culture or DFA. Two dominant Bordetella pertussis clones were identified, with one circulating since 1997.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

  • Pertussis (whooping cough) incidence is rising globally.
  • Accurate and timely laboratory diagnosis is crucial for pertussis control.
  • Traditional diagnostic methods may have limitations in sensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic utility of real-time PCR for pertussis.
  • To compare real-time PCR with culture and direct fluorescence assay (DFA).
  • To investigate the genetic diversity and clonal relationships of Bordetella pertussis isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from suspected pertussis cases.
  • Samples were analyzed using culture, DFA, and real-time PCR.
  • Bordetella pertussis isolates underwent pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for genotyping.

Main Results:

  • Real-time PCR detected B. pertussis in 33.9% of samples, significantly higher than DFA (24.8%) and culture (14.1%).
  • PFGE analysis revealed 5 distinct genotypes among the B. pertussis isolates.
  • Two dominant genotypes (C and E) were identified, with genotype C present in isolates dating back to 1997.

Conclusions:

  • Real-time PCR offers improved sensitivity for pertussis diagnosis compared to DFA and culture.
  • The study identified dominant circulating clones of B. pertussis.
  • Genotyping suggests long-term persistence of specific B. pertussis strains.

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