Dataset 29-2018

High prevalence of respiratory virus and atypical bacterium among children with a probable diagnosis of pertussis

Jorge Valverde^1†, Stephanie Saiki^2†, Angela Cornejo-Tapia^1*, Fernando Vásquez-Achaya¹, Maria Esther Castillo³, Verónica Petrozzi-Helasvuo¹, Wilmer Silva-caso¹, Miguel Angel Aguilar-Luis^1,2,4, Olguita del Aguila⁵, Carlos Bada⁶, Erico Cieza-Mora⁷, Juana del Valle-Mendoza^1,2*

ABSTRACT

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children, remaining a major public health concern, especially affecting children under 5 years old from low-income countries. Unfortunately, information regarding their epidemiology is still limited in Peru

Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed from a previous cross-sectional study conducted in children with a probable diagnosis of Pertussis from January 2010 to July 2012. All samples were analyzed via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for the following etiologies: Influenza-A, Influenza-B, RSV-A, RSV-B, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza 1 virus, Parainfluenza 2 virus, Parainfluenza 3 virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae.

Results: A total of 288 patients were included. The most common pathogen isolated was Adenovirus (49%), followed by Bordetella pertussis (41%) from our previous investigation, the most prevelant microorganisms were Mycoplasma pneumonia (26%) and Influenza-B (19.8%). Coinfections were reported in 53.5% of samples and the most common association was found between M. pneumoniae and Adenovirus (9%). Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of Adenovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and other etiologies in patients with a probable diagnosis of pertussis. Despite the presence of persistent cough lasting at least two weeks and other clinical characteristics highly suspicious of pertussis, secondary etiologies should be considered in children under 5 years-old in order to give a proper treatment.