International Journal of Infectious Diseases (May 2021)

Pertussis among patients with clinically compatible illness in the Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

  • Solomon Taye,
  • Zemene Tigabu,
  • Debasu Damtie,
  • Gizachew Yismaw,
  • Clinton Moodley,
  • Mark P. Nicol,
  • Belay Tessema,
  • Baye Gelaw,
  • Feleke Moges

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 106
pp. 421 – 428

Abstract

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Background: Pertussis is an acute respiratory tract disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. In 2014, 24.1 million pertussis cases, resulting in 160,700 deaths, were estimated to have occurred worldwide. This study aimed to determine the epidemiology of pertussis among patients with clinically compatible illness who visited selected hospitals in the Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to review pertussis patients with clinically compatible illness. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 515 patients from July 2018 through February 2019. DNA was extracted from all nasopharyngeal swabs and samples were analyzed using real-time (RT-) PCR. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were estimated using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis, respectively. Results: The overall prevalence of Bordetella species among the study participants was 156 of 515 (30.3%) [95% CI = 26.4–34.6] as determined by Bordetella RT-PCR, including: 65 (41.7%) B. pertussis, 89 (57.1%) indeterminate B. pertussis, one (0.6%) Bordetella holmesii and one (0.6%) Bordetella parapertussis. Conclusions: This study found that pertussis is potentially endemic and a common health problem among patients visiting health institutions in the Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia. More data regarding pertussis in Ethiopia could inform development of effective prevention strategies.

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