J Korean Med Sci.  2012 Dec;27(12):1547-1551. 10.3346/jkms.2012.27.12.1547.

Infant Pertussis and Household Transmission in Korea

• Kwon HJ
• Yum SK
• Choi UY
• Lee SY
• Kim JH
• Kang JH

• KMID: 2157980
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2012.27.12.1547

Abstract

A recent resurgence of pertussis has raised public health concerns even in developed countries with high vaccination coverage. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of infant pertussis, and to determine the relative importance of household transmission in Korea. The multicenter study was prospectively conducted from January 2009 to September 2011. We identified the demographic and clinical data from these patients and performed the diagnostic tests for pertussis in their household contacts. Twenty-one patients with confirmed pertussis were included in the analysis. All infections occurred in infants younger than 6 months of age (mean age, 2.5 months) who had not completed the primary DTaP vaccination except for one patient. Infants without immunization history had a significant higher lymphocytosis and longer duration of hospital stay compared to those with immunization. All were diagnosed with PCR (100%), however, culture tests showed the lowest sensitivity (42.9%). Presumed source of infection in household contacts was documented in 85.7%, mainly parents (52.6%). Pertussis had a major morbidity in young infants who were not fully immunized. Household members were responsible for pertussis transmission of infants in whom a source could be identified. The control of pertussis through booster vaccination with Tdap in family who is taking care of young infants is necessary in Korea.

Keyword

Pertussis; Infant; Epidemiology; Transmission

MeSH Terms

Bordetella pertussis/genetics
Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines/immunology
Female
Humans
Immunization, Secondary
Infant
Length of Stay
Lymphocytosis/etiology
Male
Parents
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Prospective Studies
Republic of Korea
Whooping Cough/diagnosis/immunology/*transmission
Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Monthly distribution of patients.

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  Fig. 2 Sources of household transmission to young infants.

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