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Pertussis among patients with clinically compatible illness in the Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia
Solomon Taye1, Zemene Tigabu2, Debasu Damtie3
1Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia; Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Wachemo University, Hossana, South Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, Ethiopia; Division of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Insights
Pertussis (whooping cough) is common in Ethiopia, with Bordetella species detected in 30.3% of patients. This highlights the need for better pertussis prevention strategies in the region.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Pertussis, caused by Bordetella pertussis, is a significant global health concern, with millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths annually.
- Ethiopia, particularly the Amhara Regional State, faces a considerable burden of pertussis, necessitating epidemiological investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and epidemiology of pertussis among individuals presenting with clinically compatible symptoms in Ethiopian healthcare facilities.
- To identify the specific Bordetella species responsible for pertussis cases in the study population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 515 patients with clinically compatible pertussis symptoms was conducted between July 2018 and February 2019.
- Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for DNA extraction and analysis using real-time (RT-) PCR to detect Bordetella species.
- Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios.
Main Results:
- Bordetella species were detected in 156 out of 515 (30.3%) participants.
- The predominant species identified was Bordetella pertussis (41.7% of positive cases), followed by indeterminate Bordetella pertussis (57.1%).
- Bordetella holmesii and Bordetella parapertussis were each identified in one case (0.6%).
Conclusions:
- Pertussis is potentially endemic and a prevalent health issue among patients seeking care in the Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.
- The findings underscore the importance of robust pertussis surveillance and control measures in Ethiopia.
- Further research on pertussis epidemiology in Ethiopia is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.
Background:
Pertussis is an acute respiratory tract disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. In 2014, 24.1 million pertussis cases, resulting in 160,700 deaths, were estimated to have occurred worldwide. This study aimed to determine the epidemiology of pertussis among patients with clinically compatible illness who visited selected hospitals in the Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study design was used to review pertussis patients with clinically compatible illness. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 515 patients from July 2018 through February 2019. DNA was extracted from all nasopharyngeal swabs and samples were analyzed using real-time (RT-) PCR. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were estimated using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis, respectively.
Results:
The overall prevalence of Bordetella species among the study participants was 156 of 515 (30.3%) [95% CI = 26.4-34.6] as determined by Bordetella RT-PCR, including: 65 (41.7%) B. pertussis, 89 (57.1%) indeterminate B. pertussis, one (0.6%) Bordetella holmesii and one (0.6%) Bordetella parapertussis.
Conclusions:
This study found that pertussis is potentially endemic and a common health problem among patients visiting health institutions in the Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia. More data regarding pertussis in Ethiopia could inform development of effective prevention strategies.
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