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Prospective multinational study of pertussis infection in hospitalized infants and their household contacts

Frank Kowalzik1, Arnaldo Prata Barbosa, Vera Regina Fernandes

  • 1University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|May 9, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Severe pertussis (whooping cough) poses a significant global health risk, particularly for infants. Targeting household contacts for booster vaccinations is crucial to reduce transmission and protect vulnerable infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Pertussis (whooping cough) incidence is rising in infants too young for immunization.
  • This study investigates the disease burden and infection sources of pertussis in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) across multiple continents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the burden of pertussis in PICUs globally.
  • To identify the primary sources of pertussis infection in infants.

Main Methods:

  • A multinational study involving 7 countries from 2001-2004.
  • Infants under 1 year admitted to PICUs or pediatric wards with severe respiratory symptoms were enrolled.
  • Household contacts of confirmed pertussis cases were surveyed and tested.

Main Results:

  • Pertussis was confirmed in 12% (99/823) of enrolled infants, with significant regional variations (e.g., 43% in Spain).
  • The average age of infected infants was 2.6 months.
  • Household contacts were the source of infection in 27% of PICU cases, with mothers being the most frequent source.

Conclusions:

  • Severe pertussis represents a substantial global disease burden.
  • Infants are often infected before completing vaccination, highlighting the need for alternative prevention strategies.
  • Booster vaccination of household contacts is recommended to reduce the reservoir of pertussis and protect infants.
Abstract

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