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[Pertussis: diagnosis, clinical aspects and therapy]
1Universitäts-Kinderklinik Tübingen.
Summary
Early pertussis diagnosis relies on isolating the causative agent via nasopharyngeal swabs. Erythromycin is the preferred antibiotic for treating this highly contagious respiratory illness, especially in infants.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Pertussis, or whooping cough, remains a significant concern, particularly for infants, often presenting with severe, hospitalization-requiring courses.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management and control of pertussis transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline current diagnostic methods for pertussis, emphasizing the gold standard of bacterial isolation.
- To review recommended antibiotic treatments and symptomatic therapies for pertussis, especially in vulnerable populations.
Main Methods:
- Nasopharyngeal swabbing using calcium alginate swabs for bacterial culture.
- Transport of samples using cephalexin-containing charcoal horse blood medium.
- Direct inoculation of charcoal horse blood agar plates in pediatric settings for Bordetella isolation.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for pertussis serology in cases of prolonged cough.
Main Results:
- Bacterial isolation from nasopharyngeal swabs is the definitive method for early pertussis diagnosis.
- Erythromycin, administered in high doses for 14 days, is the primary antibiotic treatment.
- Alternative antibiotics include cotrimoxazole or amoxicillin.
- Salbutamol and corticosteroids offer symptomatic relief for severe pertussis in infants.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriological isolation remains the gold standard for pertussis diagnosis.
- Effective antibiotic treatment, primarily with erythromycin, is essential.
- Supportive care with bronchodilators and corticosteroids is vital for managing severe infant cases.