CLINICAL CASE REPORT: PERTUSSIS INFECTION FOLLOWED BY A PARAPERTUSSIS INFECTION IN THE SAME CHILD

Abstract

Whooping cough is a vaccine-preventable, acute respiratory disease caused by the gram-negative bacterium Bordetella pertussis. In recent years there has been a worldwide reccurrence of pertussis infection. The most vulnerable group in society are infants under one year of age, they are at the greatest risk of severe complications or even death. Whooping cough is usually associated with infection caused by B. pertussis, but Bordetella parapertussis can also cause pertussis-like symptoms. The disease is known as parapertussisл Clinical data alone are not sufficient to differentiate between the two infections. Modern, fast and reliable diagnostic is .needed. Bordetella holmesii, viral infections caused by RSV, adenovirus, etc. can present with pertussis-like symptoms and should be diagnosed and treated accordingly. The aim of this study is to present a clinical case of a child with pertussis infection followed by parapertussis infection. To diagnose and differentiate the two infections, a real-time PCR molecular genetic method was used to detect the genes specific for the causative agents. Pertussis vaccination does not protect against B. parapertussis infections, and cross-immunity between the two bacteria has not been observed. Therefore, in the presence of pertussis-like symptoms (paroxysms of persistent cough, vomiting after coughing), it is advisable to differentiate between B. pertussis and B.parapertussis infection, especially in populations with high pertussis vaccination coverage.