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UNRECOGNIZED PERTUSSIS INFECTION IN ADOLESCENTS AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DISEASES OF CHILDREN Cromer, B. A., Goydos, J., Hackell, J., Mezzatesta, J., Dekker, C., Mortimer, E. A. 1993; 147 (5): 575-577

Abstract

Little information is available regarding the level of immunity to Bordetella pertussis among adolescents. We measured serum antibodies in 156 healthy adolescents to the following pertussis antigens: pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and 69-kd outer membrane protein. In an attempt to identify intercurrent pertussis infections, we also obtained a total of 43 repeated samples during the following 5 years. Using a 50% or greater rise in IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers to define seroconversion, we found an annual incidence of 6.1%; by alternative definitions of seropositivity, the predicted annual incidence of infection ranged from 1.2% to 8.2%. These data suggest that infection with B pertussis is common in the adolescent population.

View details for Web of Science ID A1993LB22200030

View details for PubMedID 8488807