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Molecular epidemiology of Bordetella pertussis in Greece, 2010-2015

Evangelia Petridou1, Christel Barker Jensen2, Athanasios Arvanitidis2,3

  • 1Department of Clinical Microbiology, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Journal of Medical Microbiology
|February 21, 2018
PubMed

Insights

The predominant Bordetella pertussis strain in Greece is MLVA type 27 and the ptxP3 genotype. This finding is consistent with other countries utilizing acellular vaccines, highlighting the need for continued surveillance of pertussis strains.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Pertussis, caused by Bordetella pertussis, remains a significant public health concern globally.
  • Understanding the circulating strains of B. pertussis is crucial for vaccine efficacy and public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the predominant Bordetella pertussis strains in Greece between 2010 and 2015.
  • To analyze the genetic characteristics of B. pertussis in hospitalized infants and children.

Main Methods:

  • Real-time PCR was used to confirm B. pertussis infection in 300 clinical samples.
  • Multi-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and ptxP sequencing were performed on a subset of samples.

Main Results:

  • Bordetella pertussis MLVA type 27 was the dominant genotype (55/66 isolates).
  • All tested isolates (25/25) expressed the ptxP3 genotype.
  • Low vaccination coverage was observed in Roma and immigrant populations.

Conclusions:

  • The MT27 and ptxP3 genotypes of B. pertussis are dominant in Greece.
  • These findings suggest a similarity to predominant strains in countries using acellular pertussis vaccines.
Abstract

Keywords:
Bordetella pertussisGreecemolecular typingmulti-Locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA)sequence-based typingwhooping cough

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