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[Pertussis in a 4-month-old infant with unrecognized cystic fibrosis]

Lukáš Homola1, Alena Holčíková, Eliška Zárošská

  • 1Clinic of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, The University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic. lhomola@fnbrno.cz

Klinicka Mikrobiologie a Infekcni Lekarstvi
|February 7, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This case report details a young boy with cystic fibrosis who experienced severe pertussis and pneumothorax. Early diagnosis and comprehensive cystic fibrosis therapy led to his recovery and improved growth.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple organs.
  • Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious respiratory infection.
  • Vaccination failure in infants with failure to thrive can increase infection risk.

Observation:

  • A 4-month-old boy with failure to thrive, unvaccinated against pertussis, developed severe respiratory distress and pneumothorax.
  • Prolonged illness and failure to thrive raised suspicion for underlying cystic fibrosis.
  • Diagnostic workup confirmed Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, anemia, pancreatic insufficiency, positive sweat test, and CFTR gene mutations.

Findings:

  • The patient presented with a complex clinical picture involving pertussis and pneumothorax, superimposed on undiagnosed cystic fibrosis.
  • Serological confirmation of pertussis and subsequent comprehensive CF diagnostics were crucial.
  • Successful management involved integrated cystic fibrosis therapy.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering cystic fibrosis in infants with severe or prolonged infections, especially pertussis.
  • Highlights the critical role of vaccination in preventing severe outcomes of infectious diseases in vulnerable populations.
  • Emphasizes the need for thorough diagnostic evaluation in infants with failure to thrive and respiratory complications.

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