Related Experiment Videos
Outcomes of Bordetella pertussis infection in different age groups of an immunized population
Q He1, M K Viljanen, S Nikkari
1National Public Health Institute, Department in Turku, Finland.
Insights
Bordetella pertussis outbreaks reveal waning vaccine immunity in children. Booster vaccinations are crucial for controlling pertussis (whooping cough) in young populations and adults.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) remains a significant public health concern, particularly during outbreaks.
- Understanding the age-specific attack rates and clinical presentations of Bordetella pertussis is essential for effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the outcomes of Bordetella pertussis infection across different age groups during community and school outbreaks.
- To determine the effectiveness of the current pertussis vaccine in different age demographics.
Main Methods:
- Studied Bordetella pertussis infection outcomes in 3 age groups (1-3, 4-6, and 7-15 years) during outbreaks.
- Utilized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture for laboratory confirmation of B. pertussis infection.
- Calculated community-specific attack rates for various age demographics.
Main Results:
- Asymptomatic B. pertussis infection was more prevalent in preschool children (1-3 years) compared to schoolchildren (7-15 years).
- Schoolchildren exhibited more symptoms consistent with clinical pertussis than preschool children.
- Pertussis attack rates were highest in the 7-15 year age group, indicating waning vaccine-induced immunity.
Conclusions:
- Conventional pertussis vaccine protection appears to be short-lived, necessitating booster vaccinations.
- Booster vaccinations are recommended to eradicate pertussis among schoolchildren and adults.
- Age-specific differences in infection presentation and attack rates highlight the need for targeted vaccination strategies.
Abstract:
Outcomes of Bordetella pertussis infection were studied in 3 age groups (1-3, 4-6, and 7-15 years) during outbreaks in one day care center (n = 29) and in two elementary schools (n = 210). A total of 76 children were confirmed as having B. pertussis infection; 74 were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 18 by culture. A positive PCR result was less common in children 1-3 years old than in those 4-6 (P = .006). Asymptomatic B. pertussis infection was more common in preschool children than in schoolchildren (P < .001), whereas schoolchildren presented with symptoms compatible with clinical pertussis more often than preschool children (60/210 vs. 3/29, P = .029). In the community of 12,691, the attack rate (laboratory-confirmed patients/100,000) was 317 in children < 4 years, 1838 in children 4-6 years, 2535 in children 7-15 years, and 248 in persons > 15 years. The protection provided by conventional pertussis vaccine is evidently rather short-lived, and booster vaccinations are needed to eradicate pertussis among schoolchildren and adults.