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Unrecognized pertussis infection in adolescents
B A Cromer1, J Goydos, J Hackell
1Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus.
American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|May 1, 1993
Summary
Adolescent immunity to Bordetella pertussis is often low. This study found that pertussis infections are common in adolescents, with annual infection rates between 1.2% and 8.2%.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Limited data exists on Bordetella pertussis immunity in adolescents.
- Pertussis (whooping cough) remains a public health concern, particularly in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the level of immunity to Bordetella pertussis in healthy adolescents.
- To determine the incidence of pertussis infections in this age group.
Main Methods:
- Serum antibody levels against pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and 69-kd outer membrane protein were measured in 156 adolescents.
- Repeated samples were collected over 5 years to identify seroconversion, defined as a 50% or greater rise in IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers.
Main Results:
- The annual incidence of pertussis infection was estimated to be 6.1% using one definition.
- Alternative definitions predicted an annual incidence ranging from 1.2% to 8.2%.
Conclusions:
- Bordetella pertussis infection appears to be common among adolescents.
- These findings highlight the need for continued surveillance and potential vaccination strategies for pertussis in adolescents.