Clinical, laboratorial and radiographic predictors of Bordetella pertussis infection

Abstract

Cyanosis and lymphocytosis are independent predictors for pertussis in children up to 6 months old.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction–Based Detection of Bordetella pertussis in Mexican Infants and Their Contacts: A 3-Year Multicenter Study

“…5,6,15 In our cohort, cough and cyanosis were the main symptoms, similar to other reports. [16][17][18] The presence of cyanosis was statistically significant in the patients with B pertussis, in agreement with the results reported by Bellettini et al 19 (P < .0001). The rates of paroxysmal cough, posttussive emesis, and inspiratory "whoop" were similar to those reported by other authors.…”

“…The rates of paroxysmal cough, posttussive emesis, and inspiratory "whoop" were similar to those reported by other authors. [16][17][18][19][20][21] Cough persisting <14 days was documented in 71.4% of patients, and cough persisting <7 days was found in 40.5%. This finding is relevant because in the clinical evaluation of infants, cough persisting for >2 weeks should not be a criterion for a diagnosis of pertussis.…”

Factors Associated with Time to Appropriate Treatment in Pertussis Cases in Georgia, 2009 to 2013

“…Cyanosis is considered a classic symptom of pertussis. In a retrospective study that reviewed the clinical charts of patients with suspected pertussis, researchers found that cyanosis independently predicted pertussis in patients less than 6 months old (14). These findings conflict with the longer time to treatment associated with cyanosis that we observed in infants Յ3 months old.…”

“…On the other hand, across age groups, whooping cough was present in only 30 to 50% of cases, suggesting that lack of a whooping cough should not immediately rule out pertussis infection. In another study, approximately 15% of confirmed cases across all age groups presented with a whooping cough (14). These findings further suggest that the lack of classical symptom presentation of pertussis is not necessarily conclusive.…”

“…This finding may have a few different explanations. First, in the older cohort there may be a delay in testing by physicians who do not suspect pertussis because there is a low index of suspicion among clinicians for pertussis in adults (14). Also, adults in this age range may not routinely seek health care, thus leading to a delay in treatment.…”