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Bennai RM, Zouaki A, El Amin G, Rahani A, Zirar J, Seffar M, Soully K, Mahraoui C, Kabbaj H. Pertussis outbreak in children hospitalized in Rabat (Morocco). Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 109:116225. [PMID: 38492491 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cyclical pertussis epidemics primarily affect young infants. This study aims to estimate pertussis prevalence during the ongoing 2023 outbreak at our institution, focusing on affected age groups and clinical presentations. MATERIEL AND METHODS This retrospective study includes patients admitted to Rabat University Hospital Center from 1st January 2021 to 30th June 2023. Symptomatic patients underwent Multiplex Respiratory Panel PCR testing for respiratory infections. The analysis included cases where RT-PCR identified Bordetella spp., with data analysed using SPSS 15.0. RESULTS Pertussis cases sharply increased from December 2022, constituting 85.4 % of positive samples. Most cases (78.2 %) occurred in infants under 3 months, presenting symptoms such as coughing (94.5 %) and dyspnoea (94.5 %). Pertussis was suspected in 60 % of RT-PCR confirmed cases. B. pertussis DNA was identified in 81.8 % of cases and B. parapertussis DNA in 18.2 % of cases. CONCLUSION The study exposes a significant pertussis outbreak affecting predominantly young infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Redouane Mammar Bennai
- Mohamed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rabat, Morocco; Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Specialties Hospital, Central Laboratory of Virology, Rabat, Morocco.
| | - Amal Zouaki
- Mohamed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rabat, Morocco; Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Specialties Hospital, Central Laboratory of Virology, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Ghizlane El Amin
- Mohamed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rabat, Morocco; Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Specialties Hospital, Central Laboratory of Virology, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Abdeljalil Rahani
- Mohamed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rabat, Morocco; Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Specialties Hospital, Central Laboratory of Virology, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Jalila Zirar
- Mohamed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rabat, Morocco; Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Specialties Hospital, Central Laboratory of Virology, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Myriam Seffar
- Mohamed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rabat, Morocco; Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Specialties Hospital, Central Laboratory of Virology, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Karim Soully
- Mohamed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rabat, Morocco; Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Central Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Chafik Mahraoui
- Mohamed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rabat, Morocco; Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Children Hospital, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Hakima Kabbaj
- Mohamed V University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rabat, Morocco; Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Specialties Hospital, Central Laboratory of Virology, Rabat, Morocco
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Abouqal R, Beji M, Chakroun M, Marhoum El Filali K, Rammaoui J, Zaghden H. Trends in Adult and Elderly Vaccination: Focus on Vaccination Practices in Tunisia and Morocco. Front Public Health 2022; 10:903376. [PMID: 35844850 PMCID: PMC9286557 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.903376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) are a prevailing concern among the adult population, despite availability of vaccines. Unlike pediatric vaccination programs, adult vaccination programs lack the required reach, initiative, and awareness. Clinical studies and real-world data have proven that vaccines effectively reduce the disease burden of VPDs and increase life expectancy. In Tunisia and Morocco, the national immunization program (NIP) focuses more on pediatric vaccination and have limited vaccination programs for adults. However, some vaccination campaigns targeting adults are organized. For example, influenza vaccination campaigns prioritizing at risk adults which includes healthcare professionals, elderly, and patients with comorbidities. Women of childbearing age who have never been vaccinated or whose information is uncertain are recommended to receive tetanus vaccination. Tunisia NIP recommends rubella vaccine mainly for women of childbearing age, while in Morocco, national vaccination campaigns were organized for girls and women (up to 24 years of age) to eliminate rubella. Further, travelers from both countries are recommended to follow all requirements and recommendations in the travel destination. The objective of this manuscript is to provide an overview of the global disease burden of common VPDs including (but not limited to) meningococcal diseases, pneumococcal diseases, hepatitis, and influenza. The review also provides an overview of clinical data and guidelines/recommendations on adult vaccination practices, with special focus on Tunisia and Morocco. Some European and North American countries have concrete recommendations and strategies for adult vaccination to keep the VPDs in check. In Morocco and Tunisia, although, there are sporadic adult vaccination initiatives, the efforts still need upscaling and endorsements to boost vaccination awareness and uptake. There is a need to strengthen strategies in both countries to understand the disease burden and spread awareness. Additional studies are needed to generate economic evidence to support cost-effectiveness of vaccines. Integration of private and public healthcare systems may further improve vaccination uptake in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Redouane Abouqal
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Clinical and Epidemiological Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
- Acute Medical Unit, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Maher Beji
- Department of Internal Medicine, Military Hospital Bizerte, Bizerte, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Tunisian Society of Tropical Medicine and Travel, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Chakroun
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia
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Wilkinson TMA, Van den Steen P, Cheuvart B, Baudson N, Dodet M, Turriani E, Harrington L, Meyer N, Rondini S, Taddei L, Mukherjee P. Seroprevalence of Bordetella pertussis Infection in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in England: Analysis of the AERIS Cohort. COPD 2021; 18:341-348. [PMID: 33955798 DOI: 10.1080/15412555.2021.1920904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pertussis is underdiagnosed and underreported in adults and patients with underlying conditions. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be at increased risk of severe pertussis. Understanding the true prevalence of pertussis infections in such patients is important. We therefore evaluated the seroprevalence of anti-pertussis toxin (PT) antibodies in a cohort of 40-85-year-old patients diagnosed with moderate, severe or very severe COPD enrolled (between June 2011 and June 2012) in the prospective, observational "Acute Exacerbation and Respiratory InfectionS in COPD" (AERIS; NCT01360398) study, conducted in England. Serum anti-PT antibodies were measured in 104 patients using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on samples collected 12 months (M12) and 24 months (M24) after enrollment. Overall, 14/104 (13.5%) patients had anti-PT concentrations ≥50 IU/mL at M12 or M24, indicative of exposure to Bordetella pertussis during the preceding 2-3 years. Of these, 6/104 (5.8%) had anti-PT ≥70 IU/mL, of whom 3/104 (2.9%) had anti-PT ≥120 IU/mL, indicative of exposure within 12 and 6 months, respectively. These results show a high circulation of B. pertussis in 40-85-year-old patients with moderate, severe or very severe COPD in England between 2012 and 2014, and call for enhanced immunization to prevent pertussis infections in such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom M A Wilkinson
- Faculty of Medicine, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK.,Southampton NIHR Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK.,Wessex Investigational Sciences Hub, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
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Macina D, Evans KE. Bordetella pertussis in School-Age Children, Adolescents, and Adults: A Systematic Review of Epidemiology, Burden, and Mortality in Africa. Infect Dis Ther 2021; 10:1097-1113. [PMID: 33881713 PMCID: PMC8322245 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-021-00442-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The Global Pertussis Initiative recommends diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis (DTP3) vaccination of infants aged < 1 year for all African countries, and recommends the vaccination of pregnant women as a primary prevention strategy. However, the role of older children and adults in the transmission of pertussis in Africa is not clear. A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and BIOSIS was undertaken to identify studies published between 1 January 1990 and 17 June 2019, with information on pertussis epidemiology, burden of illness, and mortality in school-aged children, adolescents, and adults in Africa. Studies identified for inclusion were reviewed narratively because a statistical comparison was not possible because of the mix of methodologies used. Studies from North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria) reported that although DTP4 vaccine coverage is high, severe pertussis-related complications persist in young children, vaccine-acquired immunity wanes in adolescents, and household contacts are important transmitters of infection. A serosurvey in Gambia showed that 6% of the general population had pertussis antibody levels suggesting recent infection, and studies from Senegal showed that pertussis infection was endemic despite high DTP3 coverage. During a pertussis outbreak in Ethiopia, the case fatality rate was 3.7% overall, and 6.3% among children aged 5–9 years. In a case-surveillance study in South Africa, the incidence of pertussis among hospitalized children was 526/100,000, and infection rates were higher in HIV-exposed and -infected children compared with uninfected children. In conclusion, the highest burden of pertussis in Africa is among infants, and surveillance is lacking in many African countries meaning that the burden of pertussis among infants and infection rates among older children and adults are not well reported, and likely underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Macina
- Global Medical, Sanofi Pasteur, 14 Espace Henry Vallée, 69007, Lyon, France.
| | - Keith E Evans
- inScience Communications, Chowley Oak Business Park, Chowley Oak Lane, Tattenhall, Cheshire, UK
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Seroprevalence of Bordetella pertussis toxin antibodies in children and adolescents in Tunis, Tunisia. Epidemiol Infect 2020; 147:e199. [PMID: 31364527 PMCID: PMC6536764 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268819000840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pertussis remains a public health concern in most countries. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the distribution of pertussis toxin antibodies (anti-PT IgG) in Tunisian children and adolescents aged 3–18 years, to define optimal age for booster vaccination. Anti-PT IgG concentrations of enrolled participants were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Concentrations were classified as: indicative of current/recent infection if ⩾100 IU/ml, indicative of recent exposure to Bordetella pertussis within the last year if 40–100 IU/ml and less likely revealing a recent exposure to B. pertussis if <40 IU/ml. Between March and June 2018, a total of 304 participants (mean age: 9.3 years) were included in this study. Overall, 12.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 9.1%–16.6%) were seropositive (IgG levels ⩾40 IU/ml). Among them, 14.7% (95% CI 2.3%–23.3%) had levels indicative of a current/recent infection. The multivariate Poisson regression analysis suggested associations between female gender, as well as age group 13–18 years and 3–5 years and higher anti-PT IgG concentrations. Our results are consistent with the notion that vaccine-induced immunity decline, as well as circulation of pertussis among school children and adolescents enables them to be reservoirs of infection and disease transmission to vulnerable infants. Booster dose of acellular pertussis vaccine for school entrants is therefore recommended.
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Squeri R, Di Pietro A, La Fauci V, Genovese C. Healthcare workers' vaccination at European and Italian level: a narrative review. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2019; 90:45-53. [PMID: 31517889 PMCID: PMC7233663 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v90i9-s.8703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Today some vaccine-preventable diseases remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide despite the availability of new vaccines. Healthcare workers are particularly at risk to acquire an infection disease, playing a fundamental role in nosocomial transmission, which makes them an important target group for vaccination. The vaccination recommendations of HCWs, as well as the general population, differ from country to country. Furthermore, coverage rates vary widely a lot over the world, making HCWs vulnerable to disease and so healthcare settings to outbreaks. The motivations of vaccine hesitancy are many and maybe other studies would help policymakers and stake-holders to shape programs to improve vaccination coverage and the control of infectious diseases through the correct application of guidelines on prevention. (www.actabiomedica.it)
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Squeri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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Pertussis in Low and Medium Income Countries: A Pragmatic Approach. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1183:137-149. [DOI: 10.1007/5584_2019_409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Ben Fraj I, Kechrid A, Guillot S, Bouchez V, Brisse S, Guiso N, Smaoui H. Pertussis epidemiology in Tunisian infants and children and characterization of Bordetella pertussis isolates: results of a 9-year surveillance study, 2007 to 2016. J Med Microbiol 2018; 68:241-247. [PMID: 30526740 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Pertussis remains a public health concern in most countries. Our study aimed to prospectively explore the epidemiology of pertussis in the Tunis area of Tunisia between 2007 and 2016, and to characterize the virulence-associated genes of the collected Bordetella pertussis isolates. METHODOLOGY Infants and children hospitalized at the Children's Hospital of Tunis, Tunisia, between 2007 and 2016 for suspicion of pertussis were enrolled in the study. Culture and real-time PCR (qPCR) assays targeting IS481, IS1001, recA, H-IS1001 and ptxP were used to confirm the pertussis diagnosis. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of recovered isolates was performed.Results/Key findings. A total of 1844 children were included in the study. Overall, 306 children (16.6 %) with Bordetella infection were confirmed by qPCR. Among them, 265 (86.6 %) were confirmed as having B. pertussis (IS481+, ptxP+, H-IS1001-), 18 (5.9 %) as having Bordetella parapertussis (IS481-, IS1001+) and 11 (3.6 %) as having Bordetella spp. (IS481+, ptxP-, H-IS1001-). No Bordetella holmesii (IS481+, IS1001-, H-IS1001+) was identified. The estimated pertussis incidence in the Tunis area was 134/100 000 in children aged less than 5 years. Two epidemic peaks were observed in 2009 and 2014. Ten B. pertussis isolates were cultured and characterized. Deficiency in pertactin expression was not observed, and genotyping of the isolates revealed a predominant allelic profile: ptxP3-ptxA1-prn2-fim2-1-fim3-2. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that pertussis is still present as a cyclical disease in Tunisia, despite high primo-vaccination coverage with a pertussis whole-cell vaccine. The predominant genotype of Tunisian B. pertussis isolates is similar to isolates circulating in countries using the acellular vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikram Ben Fraj
- 1University of Tunis El Manar, Children's Hospital of Tunis, Laboratory of Microbiology, UR12ES01, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Amel Kechrid
- 1University of Tunis El Manar, Children's Hospital of Tunis, Laboratory of Microbiology, UR12ES01, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sophie Guillot
- 2Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- 3National Reference Center for Whooping Cough and Other Bordetella Infections, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Bouchez
- 2Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- 3National Reference Center for Whooping Cough and Other Bordetella Infections, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- 2Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- 3National Reference Center for Whooping Cough and Other Bordetella Infections, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Nicole Guiso
- 3National Reference Center for Whooping Cough and Other Bordetella Infections, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Hanen Smaoui
- 1University of Tunis El Manar, Children's Hospital of Tunis, Laboratory of Microbiology, UR12ES01, Tunis, Tunisia
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