Retrospective Study of the Clinical Epidemiological Characteristics of Pertussis in Infants Prior to Their First Vaccination in the Russian Federation

Abstract

IntroductionThe coverage of pediatric pertussis vaccination in the Russian Federation is high, generally using a diphtheria, tetanus, and whole-cell pertussis vaccine in a 3-, 4.5-, and 6-month primary series and with a booster at 18 months of age. However, with no registered pertussis vaccines for adults, unvaccinated adolescents and adults can be a major source of infection of infants under 3 months of age.MethodsA multicenter, retrospective, clinical epidemiological analysis to characterize pertussis in infants aged up to 3 months who contracted pertussis and were hospitalized in four different cities in the Russian Federation was performed. Archived medical records and a questionnaire were used to collect the relevant epidemiological and clinical aspects for each case of pertussis over a 2-year period.ResultsInfants in four different regions of the Russian Federation in the first 3 months of life, prior to their first pertussis vaccination, are at risk of pertussis infection. The severity is generally worse in neonates, and can lead to complications that can require intensive care.ConclusionPrior to vaccination, young infants in the Russian Federation remain vulnerable to severe pertussis, which may be worsened by their proximity to unvaccinated adults.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s40121-015-0059-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Issues in pediatric vaccine-preventable diseases in low- to middle-income countries

“…In Russia, where surveillance is carried out, the incidence of pertussis was 3.4 cases/100,000 in 2010, 3.3 cases/100,000 in 2011 and 5.05 cases/100,000 in 2012, 7 but when modern diagnostic methods are used, morbidity figures increase 4–5-fold. In some countries in the MENA region notification of pertussis cases is mandatory and active surveillance is performed.…”

Сlinical and Laboratory Features of Pertussis in Infants

“…Именно в этой возрастной группе течение заболевания характеризуется тяжестью, длительностью, частым развитием специфических и неспецифических, в том числе угрожающих жизни, осложнений [6][7][8]. В ли-тературе имеются данные о том, что клиническое тече-ние некоторых вакцинооуправляемых инфекций в на-стоящее время претерпевает изменение в сторону уве-личения легких и уменьшения тяжелых форм, что объяс-няется появлением в популяции штаммов с низкими ви-рулентными свойствами [9].…”