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Bordetella pertussis isolation in general practice: 1977–79 whooping cough epidemic in West Glamorgan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

B. W. Kwantes ,
D. H. M. Joynson  and
W. O. Williams
B. W. Kwantes
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, Cockett Road, Swansea, Wales, SA2 0FA
D. H. M. Joynson
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, Neath General Hospital, Penrhiwtyn, Neath, Wales, SA11 2LQ
W. O. Williams
Affiliation:
Swansea Research Unit of the Royal College of General Practitioners, c/o Social Anthropology Dept. University College of Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP
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Summary

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Some of the factors influencing the isolation rate of Bordetella pertussis during a whooping cough epidemic in West Glamorgan, Wales, are reported. The organism was isolated from 39% of patients with clinical whooping cough, pernasal swabbing being much more successful than cough plates. Isolation rates were increased in the non-immunized, particularly in the first year of life. Erythromycin and co-trimoxazole significantly reduced the isolation rate of B. pertussis but this did not occur with penicillin. In this study 20 % of patients were culture positive 6 weeks after the onset of their infection. It is suggested that the Department of Health and Social Security recommendation of a minimum period of three weeks exclusion of children from school is inadequate. During the epidemic, the proportion of strains of B. pertussis containing antigen 2 more than doubled.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 90 , Issue 2 , April 1983 , pp. 149 - 158
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

References

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