The association of viruses with clinical pertussis

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Virology
• Bacteriology

Background:

• Clinical pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, presents with characteristic respiratory symptoms.
• The causative agent of classic pertussis is Bordetella pertussis.
• Differential diagnosis is crucial as other pathogens can mimic pertussis symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the spectrum of viral and bacterial pathogens associated with clinical pertussis in children.
• To determine the frequency of Bordetella pertussis isolation in children presenting with pertussis-like illness.
• To identify other potential viral agents responsible for pertussis-like syndromes.

Main Methods:

• Collection of per-nasal swabs from 136 children diagnosed with clinical pertussis.
• Viral isolation and identification attempts from collected samples.
• Bacteriological culture for Bordetella pertussis.

Main Results:

• A total of 37 viral strains were isolated from the children.
• Adenovirus was the most prevalent virus, accounting for 30% of viral isolates.
• Other detected viruses included herpes simplex, measles, influenza A2, influenza B, mumps, poliovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus.
• Bordetella pertussis was isolated in 22% of the cases.

Conclusions:

• A pertussis-like syndrome can be induced by a variety of viral agents in addition to Bordetella pertussis.
• Accurate diagnosis of pertussis requires laboratory confirmation to differentiate between bacterial and viral causes.
• This highlights the importance of comprehensive etiological investigations in pediatric respiratory illnesses.