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Seroprevalence of pertussis among Danish patients with cough of unknown etiology

Tine Dalby1, Zitta B Harboe, Karen Angeliki Krogfelt

  • 1Department of Microbiologic Surveillance and Research, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 45-305, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. tid@ssi.dk

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology : CVI
|October 8, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Pertussis (whooping cough) affects adults and older children, not just infants. This study found evidence of Bordetella pertussis infection in a significant percentage of Danish patients with unexplained coughs.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Pertussis (whooping cough) is often mistakenly considered solely a childhood illness.
  • Immunity from vaccination or prior infection with Bordetella pertussis wanes over time, leaving adolescents and adults susceptible.
  • A significant portion of the population remains at risk for pertussis throughout their lives.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the seroprevalence of pertussis antibodies in Danish patients aged 8 years and older presenting with coughs of unknown origin.
  • To determine if Bordetella pertussis infection is an underdiagnosed cause of prolonged cough in older age groups.
  • To assess the potential for pertussis to be a significant contributor to respiratory illness in the adult population.

Main Methods:

  • Serum samples were collected from 265 Danish patients aged 8 years and above with undiagnosed coughs.
  • Pertussis seroprevalence was determined by measuring IgG antibodies against pertussis toxin.
  • Analysis included a subset of 178 patients with cough duration between 2 weeks and 3 months to identify recent infections.

Main Results:

  • Seropositivity for pertussis antibodies ranged from 2.6% to 10.9% among patients with coughs of unknown etiology, depending on the chosen cutoff.
  • In patients with coughs lasting 2 weeks to 3 months, seropositivity rates were between 3.4% and 12.4%, suggesting recent Bordetella pertussis infection.
  • These findings indicate a notable prevalence of pertussis in older children and adults presenting with persistent coughs.

Conclusions:

  • The study suggests that Bordetella pertussis infection is likely underdiagnosed in older children and adults experiencing prolonged coughs in Denmark.
  • Pertussis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for persistent coughs in non-infant populations.
  • Public health strategies may need to address pertussis surveillance and vaccination in broader age groups.

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