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Nosocomial Acquisition of Pertussis Diagnosed by Polymerase Chain Reaction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Abstract

Awareness is growing of the role of pertussis infection among adolescents and adults, and of the possibility of nosocomial transmission. However, pertussis remains difficult to diagnose. We report a case of nosocomially acquired pertussis in a healthcare worker, diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction. The high sensitivity and rapid turnaround time for this test is useful to confirm the diagnosis when advising a healthcare worker to refrain from working.

Type
Concise Communications
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1997

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