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[Survey of pertussis infection in infants aged under 3 months with persistent cough]

Rong Mi1, Jin Fu, Li-min Kang

  • 1Department of Neonatal Medicine, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China. mi_rong1111@sina.com

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi
|September 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis) is a significant cause of persistent cough in hospitalized infants under 3 months. Unidentified family members are likely sources of infection, highlighting the need for early diagnosis in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Pertussis, or whooping cough, poses a severe risk to infants.
  • Persistent cough in infants under 3 months necessitates investigation into bacterial causes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of pertussis in hospitalized infants under 3 months presenting with persistent cough.
  • To identify Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis) as a causative agent.

Main Methods:

  • Collected nasopharyngeal secretions and serum from infants aged <3 months with cough >2 weeks.
  • Utilized multiplex PCR to detect B. pertussis DNA.
  • Employed ELISA to measure antibodies to pertussis toxin (PT-IgG).

Main Results:

  • B. pertussis was identified in 28.8% (17/59) of infants.
  • Pertussis was diagnosed in infants across all age strata within the <3 month group.
  • Household contacts with persistent cough were identified in 3 cases, with positive pertussis toxin antibodies.

Conclusions:

  • B. pertussis is a key pathogen in infants under 3 months with persistent cough.
  • Multiplex PCR offers high sensitivity for B. pertussis detection.
  • Unrecognized family members are probable sources of pertussis infection in infants.
Abstract

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