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Prevalence of pertussis IgG antibodies in children in Palermo, Italy

Prävalenz von Pertussis-IgG-Antikörpern bei Kindern in Palermo, Italien

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Summary

The prevalence of IgG antibodies toBordetella pertussis in a sample of 615 1–12-year-old unvaccinated children in Palermo was estimated by ELISA. The overall prevalence was 56%; it increased from 24% in one to three-year-old children to 67% in 11–12-year-old children (p<0.01). IgG antibody prevalence was not associated with the father's years of schooling (OR 1), nor with the family size (OR 1.3; C.I. 95%=0.8−2.2). For children aged one the three years, serological results showed that the history of pertussis reported by parents in questionnaires gave high specificity (93.2%) and negative predictive value (85.4%). Our seroepidemiological study evidences a great exposure of children toB. pertussis in Palermo, with a high proportion of infections occurring after three years of age.

Zusammenfassung

Bei 615 ein bis zwölf Jahre alten Kindern, die in Palermo leben und nicht gegen Pertussis geimpft wurden, wurde die Prävalenz von IgG-Antikörpern gegenBordetella pertussis mittels ELISA bestimmt. Die Gesamtprävalenz betrug 65%; sie nahm von 24% bei ein bis drei Jahre alten Kindern auf 67% bei 11–12jährigen zu (p < 0,01). Es bestand keine Beziehung zwischen der IgG-Antikörperprävalenz und der Schulbildung des Vaters (OR 1) oder der Größe der Familie (OR 1,3; C.I. 95%=0,8−2.2). Bei ein- bis dreijährigen Kindern zeigten die serologischen Ergebnisse, daß die auf den Fragebogen von den Eltern angegebene Pertussisanamnese hochspezifisch war (93,2%) und einen hohen negativen prädiktiven Wert hatte (85,4%). Unsere seroepidemiologische Studie belegt, daß Kinder in Palermo dem KeuchhustenerregerB. pertussis stark ausgesetzt sind und ein großer Teil der Infektionen nach dem dritten Lebensjahr auftritt.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Epidemiology, National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, I-00161, Rome

    T. Stroffolini

  2. Institute of Microbiology, Palermo

    A. Giammanco,  S. Taormina,  L. Nisticò &  A. Chiarini

  3. Institute of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Palermo

    L. De Crescenzo

  4. Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, I-90127, Palermo

    A. Cascio

  5. U.S.L. 61, Palermo, Italy

    F. Lupo,  V. Nicosia,  G. Torres &  A. R. Valenza

Authors
  1. T. Stroffolini
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  2. A. Giammanco
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  3. S. Taormina
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  4. L. Nisticò
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  5. A. Chiarini
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  6. L. De Crescenzo
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  7. A. Cascio
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  8. F. Lupo
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  9. V. Nicosia
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  10. G. Torres
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  11. A. R. Valenza
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Stroffolini, T., Giammanco, A., Taormina, S. et al. Prevalence of pertussis IgG antibodies in children in Palermo, Italy. Infection 17, 280–283 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01650708

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01650708

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