[Pertussis in children with incomplete active immunization]

In recent years, a significant increase in the incidence of pertussis among children has been observed both in Ukraine and worldwide. Infants who were partially vaccinated or children who became ill in a short time after complete active immunization with primary vaccination complex against pertussis are more often referred to our clinic with the diagnosis of "pertussis".

The clinical peculiarities of pertussis study in partially vaccinated infants and infants who are in the process of vaccination against pertussis.

83 infants aged 3-12 months in Lviv Regional Hospital of Infectious Diseases were kept under observation. The course of the disease and some laboratory dates have been investigated. Severity of pertussis was estimated by the Preziosi & Halloran score.

Pertussis catarrhal period lasted significantly longer in partially vaccinated children. A shorter period of time during which cough with reprises persisted has been determined; a significant lower leukocytes levels and absolute amount of lymphocytes have been revealed both on admission and in the dynamics of the disease in vaccinated children as compared with unvaccinated patients.

We have concluded that the children, who received 1, 2 and/or 3 inoculations during primary vaccination against pertussis in epidemics period, are at high risk for pertussis. The course of the disease in these children is reliably milder, with longer catarrhal period, less duration of spasmodic cough, fewer episodes of cough during the day, lower rate of complications.