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Pertussis seroprevalence in adults, post-partum women and umbilical cord blood

Aurelia Fallo1, Gabriela Manonelles1, Daniela Hozbor2

  • 1Servicio de Infectología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, CABA.

Archivos Argentinos De Pediatria
|June 24, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Young adults with waning immunity are key pertussis spreaders. This study found lower anti-Bordetella antibody titers in postpartum women and umbilical cords, indicating potential infant vulnerability to pertussis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Pertussis (whooping cough) is a vaccine-preventable respiratory illness.
  • Waning immunity in young adults makes them a significant source of pertussis transmission to infants.
  • Increasing pertussis incidence necessitates novel prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate pertussis seroprevalence in adult blood donors, postpartum women, and umbilical cords.
  • To assess antibody titers against Bordetella spp. and their implications for infant immunity.

Main Methods:

  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure total anti-Bordetella antibodies.
  • Serum samples were analyzed from 103 blood donors, 101 postpartum women, and 100 umbilical cords.
  • Antibody titers below 80 were defined as having low protective impact.

Main Results:

  • Median anti-Bordetella antibody titers were significantly lower in postpartum women (160) compared to blood donors (320).
  • 30% of postpartum women and 44% of umbilical cords exhibited low antibody titers (<80).
  • Transplacental antibody transfer was assessed, with umbilical cord titers often lower than maternal titers.

Conclusions:

  • Lower anti-Bordetella antibody levels in postpartum women and umbilical cords may explain high pertussis rates in unvaccinated infants.
  • Findings highlight a potential gap in maternal antibody protection for newborns.
  • This seroprevalence data supports the need for enhanced pertussis prevention strategies, particularly for maternal and infant populations.

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