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Bordetella parapertussis infections
P Mastrantonio1, M Giuliano, P Stefanelli
1Laboratory of Bacteriology and Medical Mycology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Developments in Biological Standardization
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Bordetella parapertussis infections in children present with milder whooping cough symptoms than B. pertussis. Pertussis vaccination appears ineffective in preventing B. parapertussis infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Bacteriology
- Immunology
Background:
- Bordetella parapertussis is a bacterial species that causes a pertussis-like illness.
- Distinguishing B. parapertussis from B. pertussis is important for clinical management and epidemiological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the isolation rate of B. parapertussis in children with cough.
- To compare clinical characteristics of B. parapertussis and B. pertussis infections.
- To assess the role of pertussis vaccination in preventing B. parapertussis infection.
Main Methods:
- Clinical efficacy studies involving children with cough.
- Comparison of clinical symptoms between B. pertussis and B. parapertussis infected children.
- Serological analysis of IgA and IgG anti-pertussis toxin (FHA) levels.
- Analysis of B. parapertussis case distribution in vaccinated children.
Main Results:
- B. parapertussis infections were associated with lower frequencies and shorter durations of typical whooping cough symptoms.
- Approximately 70% of B. parapertussis infections showed a two-fold increase in IgA or IgG anti-FHA.
- Pertussis vaccination did not appear to prevent B. parapertussis infection.
Conclusions:
- B. parapertussis infections exhibit milder clinical presentations compared to B. pertussis.
- Serological markers like anti-FHA are indicative of B. parapertussis infection.
- Current pertussis vaccines may not offer protection against B. parapertussis.