Detection of Bordetella pertussis using a PCR test in infants younger than one year old hospitalized with whooping cough in five Peruvian hospitals

Abstract

An increase in pertussis cases has been reported in recent years in Peru, despite national immunization efforts. Surveillance with PCR for B. pertussis is essential, especially in infants less than 1 year old, in whom a higher rate of disease-related complications and higher mortality have been reported.

Clinical-epidemiological study of Bordetella pertussis infection in the Gran Canaria island in the period, 2008–2016

“…In our study, most patients presented with cough, accompanied by cold symptoms in 2/3 of cases, and most also had lymphocytosis. We ought to note that pneumonia and apnoea developed mainly in infants aged less than 3 months, as described in previous studies, 17 but we found no other differences in other signs and symptoms between the 2 age groups.…”

“…Other studies have found a higher rate of complications in this age group. 17 Several studies have analysed different variables and have found a higher risk of death or more severe disease in infants aged less than 4 months with low birth weight, hyperleukocytosis (≥100 000 leukocytes/L), who develop pulmonary hypertension or seizures or with unvaccinated status, among others, 18---20 and a high degree of suspicion in these patients would probably improve clinical outcomes.…”

Estudio clínico-epidemiológico de la infección por Bordetella pertussis en la isla de Gran Canaria en el período 2008-2016

“…Con respecto al periodo anterior, se observa una menor tasa de complicaciones (23,4% en el período 2003-2007), así como de fallecidos (6,5% en el período 2003-2007). En otros trabajos, la tasa de complicaciones en este grupo de edad fue superior 17 . Varios estudios han analizado distintas variables y han observado un mayor riesgo de muerte o enfermedad más grave en niños menores de 4 meses con bajo peso al nacer, hiperleucocitosis (≥100.000 leucocitos/L), desarrollo de hipertensión pulmonar o convulsiones, y en no vacunados, entre otros [18][19][20] , y probablemente el tener un alto índice de sospecha mejore el pronóstico clínico.…”

Identfication of viral and bacterial etiologic agents of the pertussis-like syndrome in children under 5 years old hospitalized

“…Classically, S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae type b are the most commonly isolated bacteria in both throat and nasopharyngeal specimens from patients with ARIs [9,10]. However, in resource-limited countries, atypical bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis can play an important role in ARIs and can be detected in more than 40% of patients [2,[11][12][13][14].…”

“…Accounting for an estimated 16 million cases and 195,000 deaths worldwide [22]. In a previous study we conducted on children under 1-year-old with a probable diagnosis of Pertussis from 5 Peruvian hospitals, we reported a prevalence of 39.54% pertussis cases [14]. With more than 60% of cases without an identified pathogen, hence a more comprehensive etiological analysis was required.…”