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Respiratory Viruses Frequently Mimic Pertussis in Young Infants

Ranaa Damouni Shalabi1, Isaac Srugo1,2, Orit Golan-Shany2

  • 1From the Department of Pediatrics.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|April 16, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Diagnosing Bordetella pertussis in infants is challenging as symptoms mimic common respiratory viruses. Studies show respiratory viruses are often the actual cause in infants suspected of having pertussis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) is a significant concern in infants.
  • Diagnosis of pertussis in infants is complicated by overlapping symptoms with other respiratory infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the etiology of respiratory illness in infants suspected of pertussis.
  • To determine the prevalence of Bordetella pertussis versus respiratory viruses in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical evaluation of infants less than 1 year of age presenting with suspected pertussis.
  • Diagnostic testing for Bordetella pertussis and common respiratory viruses.

Main Results:

  • Respiratory viruses were frequently identified in infants with symptoms suggestive of pertussis.
  • In many cases, respiratory viruses mimicked Bordetella pertussis, indicating they were the likely causative agent.

Conclusions:

  • Respiratory viruses are common mimics of Bordetella pertussis in infants.
  • Clinical suspicion for pertussis in infants should consider the high likelihood of viral respiratory infections.

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