Pertussis Infection; Recent Concerns and New Recommendations

Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial disease which can affect people at any age, and which is significantly underdiagnosed. Its epidemiology has recently changed with a shift in distribution from infants and young children towards older age groups. Immunity from vaccination and from illness wanes over time, leaving adolescents and adults susceptible. These are the main source of infection in infants, in whom significant complications are most common. In order to improve individual and herd immunity and thus reduce transmission of infection to young infants, an adolescent pertussis booster vaccine is recommended. This review discusses recent findings in B. pertussis epidemiology and recent advances in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention, and vaccination recommendations for the ultimate elimination of pertussis disease.