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[Source of infection in young infants hospitalized with Bordetella pertussis]

Cecilia Perret1, Tamara Viviani, Anamaría Peña

  • 1División de Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileTemuco, Chile. cperret@med.puc.cl

Revista Medica De Chile
|September 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

In Chile, adults are the primary source of pertussis (whooping cough) infection for infants. Household transmission is common, highlighting the need for adult and adolescent vaccination to protect vulnerable infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Very young infants face the highest risks of pertussis (whooping cough) morbidity and mortality, despite existing vaccination protocols.
  • Pertussis remains a significant threat to unvaccinated infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the primary sources of pertussis infection in infants under six months of age within Chile.
  • To understand the transmission dynamics of pertussis within households.

Main Methods:

  • A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect Bordetella pertussis in 26 household contacts of 10 hospitalized infants.
  • Clinical and demographic data of household contacts were analyzed to determine infection sources.

Main Results:

  • Pertussis was detected in 72% of household members across all studied families.
  • Adults were identified as the source of infection in 80% of infant cases, with ages ranging from 6 to 62 years.
  • Asymptomatic carriers of B. pertussis were identified, complicating source tracing.

Conclusions:

  • Household transmission is the predominant route for pertussis infection in young infants in Chile, with adults typically serving as the source.
  • Preventive strategies, including routine vaccination of adolescents and adults (cocoon strategy), are recommended to protect infants.
  • Risk factors for infant pertussis infection in Chile mirror those in developed countries.
Abstract

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