Pertussis: not only a disease of childhood

Pertussis is not just a childhood disease, but a respiratory infection that causes persistent cough in all age groups, from newborns to the elderly.

The authors performed a selective literature search and reviewed national and international recommendations for treatment and vaccination.

Pertussis is found principally in young unvaccinated infants, but school-age children, adolescents, and adults are also affected. Up to 1% of infants contract pertussis, and their respiratory symptoms are often accompanied by apnea. School-age children occasionally display the coughing spasms typical of the disease. Annually, 0.2% to 0.5% of all adolescents and adults are infected and suffer from prolonged, frequently non-paroxysmal coughing. Severe and fatal cases of pertussis occur mainly in newborns and infants, and 25% of affected adults experience complications. Bordetella DNA may be detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for four weeks after symptom onset; except in infants, the sensitivity of this diagnostic technique is low. Although the diagnosis can be confirmed by serological tests, the methods are not well standardized. Treatment with a macrolide prevents the spread of infection, but generally does not alleviate the symptoms. Combination vaccines are the most effective means of prophylaxis.

Pertussis is usually not included in the differential diagnosis of persistent respiratory symptoms. The considerable burden of disease could be reduced in adults and young infants by vaccinating adults with acellular combination vaccines.