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

Abstract

Se realizó un estudio prospectivo transversal en cinco hospitales en Perú desde enero 2010 a julio 2012 para informar la incidencia, epidemiología y características clínicas de la Bordetella pertussis en niños peruanos menores de un año. Un total de 392 infantes menores de 1 año fueron admitidos con un diagnóstico clínico de tos ferina, probando la B. pertussis con el test PCR o técnica de Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa.

Objectives: To report the incidence, epidemiology, and clinical features of Bordetella pertussis in Peruvian infants under 1 year old. Patients and methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in five hospitals in Peru from January 2010 to July 2012. A total of 392 infants under 1 year old were admitted with a clinical diagnosis of whooping cough and tested for B. pertussis by PCR. Results: The pertussis toxin and IS481 genes were detected in 39.54% (155/392) of the cases. Infants aged less than 3 months were the most affected, with a prevalence of 73.55% (114/155). The most common household contact was the mother, identified in 20% (31/155) of cases. Paroxysm of coughing (89.03%, 138/155), cyanosis (68.39%, 106/155), respiratory distress (67.09%, 104/155), and breastfeeding difficulties (39.35%, 61/155) were the most frequent symptoms reported. Conclusion: 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