01 November 2007
Pertussis is under diagnosed in infants hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infection in the pediatric intensive care unit
David Greenberg, Ellen Bamberger, Shalom Ben-Shimol, Rosa Gershtein, Daniel Golan, Isaac SrugoMed Sci Monit 2007; 13(11): CR475-480 :: ID: 512897
Abstract
Background: To determine the rate of pertussis in infants aged <1 year hospitalized at the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and to characterize the clinical aspects of these patients.
Material/Methods: Infants <12 months hospitalized with LRTI in the PICU were identified retrospectively. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were obtained. Stored nasopharyngeal washes (NPW) were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the pertussis toxin gene (ptxA) and insertion element IS481 sequences.
Results: Eleven of seventy-four (15%) NPW were positive for pertussis, none of them was clinically suspected. Of the positive patients, 82% suffered from paroxysmal cough vs. 32% of the negative patients and from prolonged cough, 45.5% vs. 8%, respectively (P<0.01). Thirty (41%) patients needed mechanical ventilation with no differences between positive and negative pertussis patients. Infiltrates in x-rays were more common among pertussis negative than among pertussis positive patients, 29% vs. 0% (P=0.05).
Conclusions: Lower respiratory tract infections caused by pertussis are a more frequent cause of admission to the PICU than generally recognized. Patient’s history with paroxysmal cough suggests the possibility of pertussis and the lack of whooping cough does not rule out pertussis. Pediatricians should be aware of the limitations of their diagnostic tools when ruling out pertussis especially in infants with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis. Using new diagnostic methods add considerably to the sensitivity of pertussis diagnosis in PICU and PCR techniques should be used routinely, at least in a PICU setting.
Keywords: Diagnostic Errors, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Whooping Cough - microbiology, Bordetella pertussis - genetics, Diagnosis, Differential, Infant, Newborn, Intensive Care Units, Neonatal, Intensive Care Units, Pediatric, Israel, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Respiratory Tract Infections - diagnosis
815 14
Editorial
01 December 2023 : Editorial
Editorial: Outbreaks of Post-Pandemic Childhood Pneumonia and the Re-Emergence of Endemic Respiratory InfectionsDOI: 10.12659/MSM.943312
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e943312
In Press
08 Dec 2023 : Clinical Research
Association Between Influenza Vaccine Uptake and Health Awareness: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based St...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI:
04 Dec 2023 : Animal Research
Effects of Intrathecal Ketamine on Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Mech...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI:
01 Dec 2023 : Clinical Research
Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19 Infection in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Retrospective St...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI:
30 Nov 2023 : Review article
Decoding the Neurological Sequelae of General Anesthesia: A ReviewMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI:
Most Viewed Current Articles
13 Nov 2021 : Clinical Research
Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology ...DOI :10.12659/MSM.932788
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e932788
30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research
Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
08 Mar 2022 : Review article
A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292