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Pertussis in Argentina and France

Valérie Caro, Valérie Bouchez, Nicole Guiso

    Vaccine
    |January 19, 2007
    PubMed

    Insights

    Pertussis (whooping cough) is increasing in unvaccinated newborns in Argentina and France. Genetic analysis of Bordetella pertussis strains suggests a common evolutionary path due to similar whole-cell vaccine use.

    Area of Science:

    • Epidemiology
    • Microbiology
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • Comparative study of pertussis (whooping cough) epidemiology in Argentina and France, countries with long-term whole-cell vaccine mass vaccination programs.
    • Observed comparable epidemiological trends, including a rise in pertussis incidence among unvaccinated newborns in both nations.

    Discussion:

    • Utilized pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and genotyping to analyze Bordetella pertussis clinical isolates from 2001-2004.
    • Identified a predominance of the prn2 allele and PFGE IVbeta group among isolates from both countries.
    • Genetic similarity suggests a shared evolutionary trajectory of pertussis strains influenced by consistent vaccination strategies.

    Key Insights:

    • The whole-cell pertussis vaccine, despite long-term use, is associated with increasing disease incidence in unvaccinated newborns.
    • Bordetella pertussis strains in Argentina and France exhibit significant genetic homogeneity.
    • prn2 allele and PFGE IVbeta group are common characteristics of circulating pertussis strains in these regions.

    Outlook:

    • Further research into the specific mechanisms driving pertussis resurgence in vaccinated populations.
    • Investigating potential impacts of vaccine-induced immunity on Bordetella pertussis evolution.
    • Monitoring genetic changes in pertussis strains to inform future vaccine development and public health strategies.

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