High prevalence of Bordetella pertussis in severe acute respiratory infections in hospitalized children under 5 years in Lima, Peru

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years worldwide. Bordetella pertussis is a highly contagious bacterium that can cause serious illness, and approximately half of infected infants less than 1 year old are hospitalized. Also, pertussis immunization series is not completed until six months of age, leaving young infants vulnerable to pertussis. In Peru, pertussis is an increasing health problem despite immunization efforts, and the role of B. pertussis in ARI is unknown. We determined the prevalence of B. pertussis among children under 5 years old admitted to Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia in Lima with diagnosis of ARI between Jan-2009 and Dec 2010. Epidemiological and clinical features were collected, and presence of B. pertussis was determined by PCR (pertussis toxin and IS481 gene). A total of 596 nasopharyngeal samples among children under 5 years were analyzed. In 114 (19.1%) samples were positive for B. pertussis. 32.5% of sample positive to B. pertussis were diagnosed as viral pneumonia at diagnosis. Importantly, 71.9% of cases were under 12 months of age and 58.8% have been contact with other ARI infected people. Significant differences in clinical symptoms between the total ARI cases and B. pertussis cases were not found. The most frequent symptoms in B. pertussis cases were fever (100%), rhinorrhea 78%, cough 71.9% and respiratory distress 60.5%. One child died due to the infection. B. pertussis cases showed a seasonal distribution with peaks during the months March June and November. This study shows the high prevalence of B. pertussis in infants who were hospitalized due to severe acute respiratory infections in Lima, Peru. Epidemiologic surveillance programs for B. pertussis are essential in the future in Peru

Author(s): Pavic Espinoza, Ivana; Bendezu Medina, Sandy; Herrera Alzamora, Angella; Pons Casellas, Maria; Hernandez, Adrian V. ( 0000-0002-9999-4003 )  ; del Valle Mendoza, Juana Mercedes ( 0000-0002-6011-5040 ) 
Source: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas - UPC

URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10757/582376