PERTUSSIS- EPIDEMIOLOGY, DIAGNOSTICS, TREATMENT. LITERATURE REVIEW

Adrianna Perzanowska; Zuzanna Tomaszewska; Anna Zielińska; Julia Ciechanowicz; Stanisław Ciechanowicz; Julia Dura; Marika Gutowska; Piotr Kupidłowski; Agata Nowacka; Aleksandra Przybylska

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(46).2025.3411

Adrianna Perzanowska Praski Hospital in Warsaw, 67 Solidarności Avenue, 03-401 Warsaw https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3621-6482
Zuzanna Tomaszewska Praski Hospital in Warsaw, 67 Solidarności Avenue, 03-401 Warsaw https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1697-0514
Anna Zielińska Czerniakowski Hospital, Stępińska 19/25, 00-739 Warsaw https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6761-388X
Julia Ciechanowicz University Clinical Hospital in Poznan, 1/2 Dluga Street, 61-848 Poznan https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9100-7867
Stanisław Ciechanowicz University Clinical Hospital in Poznan, 1/2 Dluga Street, 61-848 Poznan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0191-1618
Julia Dura The Provincial Hospital in Poznan, Juraszów 7/19, 60-479 Poznań https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6972-1540
Marika Gutowska Józef Struś Multi-Specialist Municipal Hospital, Szwajcarska 3, 61-285, Poznań, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8297-5465
Piotr Kupidłowski Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 70 Bukowska Street, 60-812 Poznan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1642-6236
Agata Nowacka Józef Struś Multi-Specialist Municipal Hospital, Szwajcarska 3, 61-285, Poznań, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8623-1406
Aleksandra Przybylska Józef Struś Multi-Specialist Municipal Hospital, Szwajcarska 3, 61-285, Poznań, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5210-3277

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(46).2025.3411

Keywords: Bordetella Pertussis, Pertussis, Disease Outbreaks, Macrolides, Diagnostics

Abstract

Introduction and purpose. The bacterium Bordetella pertussis causes pertussis, an infectious respiratory disease. Despite the introduction of an expanded vaccination programme over the past decades, pertussis remains a public health concern. This literature review aims to compare clinical and laboratory diagnostics. Additionally, we will focus on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the increase in cases of the disease.

State of knowledge. The illness has three phases: an initial stage lasting one to two weeks; a second stage characterised by coughing fits lasting up to four weeks; and a final recovery phase. Although antibiotics used during the second stage reduce infectiousness, it is unclear whether they reduce the duration of illness. During the first two weeks, patients may experience flu-like symptoms. Culture testing is considered the gold standard, providing 100% specificity. This enables identification of the strain and antibiotic susceptibility testing. This method is most effective within the first two weeks of illness, while viable bacteria are still present.
The number of cases fluctuates from year to year, but there has been a marked decrease among young children and an increase among adolescents and adults. Following the discontinuation of protective measures against SARS-CoV-2, significant pertussis outbreaks have occurred.

Material and methods. This review analyzes the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of whooping cough, with a particular focus on the years from 2019 to the present. The article was based on sources from scientific databases such as PubMed.

Summary. Researchers have linked the increase in pertussis cases in recent years to the lifting of restrictions during the post-Covid period. It is therefore important to raise public awareness of the need for revaccination and to continue scientific research into the epidemiology and diagnosis of this disease.

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PERTUSSIS- EPIDEMIOLOGY, DIAGNOSTICS, TREATMENT. LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

References

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