Complete genome sequences of four representative strains.

This report describes the complete genome sequence assemblies from four representative isolates of the human pathogen . These data provide necessary references to aid accurate sequence-based species discrimination among closely related spp. pathogens.

Genome-based prediction of cross-protective, HLA-DR-presented epitopes as putative vaccine antigens for multiple species.

Pertussis, caused by , can cause debilitating respiratory symptoms, so whole-cell pertussis vaccines (wPVs) were introduced in the 1940s. However, reactogenicity of wPV necessitated the development of acellular pertussis vaccines (aPVs) that were introduced in the 1990s. Since then, until the COVID-19 pandemic began, reported pertussis incidence was increasing, suggesting that aPVs do not induce long-lasting immunity and may not effectively prevent transmission.

Complete Genome Sequences of Four Macrolide-Resistant Nondiphtheritic Isolates.

This report describes the complete genome sequences of four isolates of the nondiphtheritic (NDC) species Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum and Corynebacterium propinquum, recovered during investigation of a large diphtheria outbreak in Bangladesh. These data will assist in better delineating the boundary between these related species and understanding their virulence potential.

Prevalence and characterization of pertactin deficient strains in Brazil, a whole-cell vaccine country.

Many countries have reported antigenic divergence among circulating strains, mainly in those countries which introduced the acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine. This phenomenon can be seen, for example, with the recent rise of pertactin (Prn)-deficient strains, one of the antigens included in aP vaccine formulas. The whole cell pertussis (wP) vaccine has been used in Brazil since 1977 for the primary pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus immunization series.

Effect of maternal Tdap on infant antibody response to a primary vaccination series with whole cell pertussis vaccine in São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Maternal Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination provides antibody transfer to newborn infants and may affect their antibody response to the primary vaccination series. This study aimed to assess the effect of Tdap vaccination during pregnancy on infant antibody response to the whole cell pertussis (DTwP) primary series.

Methods: Plasma from 318 pregnant women (243 Tdap-vaccinated and 75 unvaccinated) and their infants (cord blood) was collected at delivery; infant blood was again collected at 2 and 7 months, before and after their primary DTwP series.

Association between the timing of maternal vaccination and newborns' anti-pertussis toxin antibody levels.

Background: Pertussis remains an important global public health concern, despite the presence of extensive immunization programs. Incidence and severity of pertussis are typically higher in neonates and young infants. As a strategy to protect these young infants, maternal vaccination with Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis) has been recommended in Brazil.

Expanding Pertussis Epidemiology in 6 Latin America Countries through the Latin American Pertussis Project.

The Latin American Pertussis Project (LAPP), established in 2009, is a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pan American Health Organization, Sabin Vaccine Institute, and the ministries of health of 6 countries in Latin America. The project goal is to expand understanding of pertussis epidemiology in Latin America to inform strategies for control and prevention. Here we describe LAPP structure and activities.

Comparative analytical evaluation of the respiratory TaqMan Array Card with real-time PCR and commercial multi-pathogen assays.

In this study, a multicenter evaluation of the Life Technologies TaqMan(®) Array Card (TAC) with 21 custom viral and bacterial respiratory assays was performed on the Applied Biosystems ViiA™ 7 Real-Time PCR System. The goal of the study was to demonstrate the analytical performance of this platform when compared to identical individual pathogen specific laboratory developed tests (LDTs) designed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), equivalent LDTs provided by state public health laboratories, or to three different commercial multi-respiratory panels. CDC and Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) LDTs had similar analytical sensitivities for viral pathogens, while several of the bacterial pathogen APHL LDTs demonstrated sensitivities one log higher than the corresponding CDC LDT.

A Proteomic Characterization of Bordetella pertussis Clinical Isolates Associated with a California State Pertussis Outbreak.

Bordetella pertussis (Bp) is the etiologic agent of pertussis (whooping cough), a highly communicable infection. Although pertussis is vaccine preventable, in recent years there has been increased incidence, despite high vaccine coverage. Possible reasons for the rise in cases include the following: Bp strain adaptation, waning vaccine immunity, increased surveillance, and improved clinical diagnostics.

Molecular epidemiology of the pertussis epidemic in Washington State in 2012.

Although pertussis disease is vaccine preventable, Washington State experienced a substantial rise in pertussis incidence beginning in 2011. By June 2012, the reported cases reached 2,520 (37.5 cases per 100,000 residents), a 1,300% increase compared with the same period in 2011.

Serodiagnosis as adjunct assay for pertussis infection in São Paulo, Brazil.

Pertussis remains an important public health problem in many countries despite extensive immunization. Cultures and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assays are the recommended pertussis diagnostic tests, but they lack sensitivity at the later stage of the disease. This study introduces the IgG anti-pertussis toxin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PT ELISA) in our routine diagnosis to improve disease burden estimation.

Genome Sequences of 28 Bordetella pertussis U.S. Outbreak Strains Dating from 2010 to 2012.

Despite the availability of highly effective vaccines, Bordetella pertussis incidence has been rapidly rising in highly vaccinated populations. Recent outbreaks have received media attention, feeding concerns about the emergence of dangerous new strains with increased virulence or that escape vaccine-induced immunity. To accelerate the study of this reemerging pathogen, we sequenced the genomes of 28 B.

Qualitative assessment of pertussis diagnostics in United States laboratories.

Background: United States national surveillance data show that the use of culture for pertussis diagnostics has sharply declined, whereas polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is now the most common testing method. PCR testing for pertussis is rapid and sensitive, but the lack of standardization and variable specificity is concerning.

Methods: A web-based survey containing 12 questions was sent to public health, commercial and hospital-based US laboratories performing clinical diagnostics to determine the pertussis diagnostics used.

Utilization of multiple real-time PCR assays for the diagnosis of Bordetella spp. in clinical specimens.

Bordetella pertussis causes an upper respiratory infection in infants, adolescents, and adults. Diagnosis of pertussis, a vaccine-preventable disease, can be difficult, but recent implementation of real-time PCR assays in laboratories has hastened the ability of clinicians to make an accurate diagnosis. In this paper we describe the method of nasopharyngeal specimen collection, extraction of DNA, and real-time PCR assays that will allow the detection and identification of Bordetella spp.

Epidemiologic and laboratory features of a large outbreak of pertussis-like illnesses associated with cocirculating Bordetella holmesii and Bordetella pertussis--Ohio, 2010-2011.

Background: During 9 May 2010-7 May 2011, an outbreak of pertussis-like illness (incidence, 80 cases per 100 000 persons) occurred in Franklin County, Ohio. The majority of cases were identified by IS481-directed polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which does not differentiate among Bordetella species. We sought to determine outbreak etiology and epidemiologic characteristics.

Serotypes and genetic profiles of Bordetella pertussis strains isolated in the city of São Paulo, 2006-2008.

Objective: Knowledge of Bordetella pertussis circulating in Latin America is limited. Therefore, the goal of this study was to use pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and serotyping to characterize B. pertussis strains isolated in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

Does tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccination interfere with serodiagnosis of pertussis infection?

An anti-pertussis toxin (PT) IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was analytically validated for the diagnosis of pertussis at a cutoff of 94 ELISA units (EU)/ml. Little was known about the performance of this ELISA in the diagnosis of adults recently vaccinated with tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine, which contains PT. The goal of this study was to determine when the assay can be used following Tdap vaccination.

Pertussis Pseudo-outbreak linked to specimens contaminated by Bordetella pertussis DNA From clinic surfaces.

Background And Objectives: We investigated a pertussis outbreak characterized by atypical cases, confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) alone at a single laboratory, which persisted despite high vaccine coverage and routine control measures. We aimed to determine whether Bordetella pertussis was the causative agent and advise on control interventions.

Methods: We conducted case ascertainment, confirmatory testing for pertussis and other pathogens, and an assessment for possible sources of specimen contamination, including a survey of clinic practices, sampling clinics for B pertussis DNA, and review of laboratory quality indicators.

Novel multitarget real-time PCR assay for rapid detection of Bordetella species in clinical specimens.

A novel multitarget real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assay for the rapid identification of Bordetella pertussis, B. parapertussis, and B. holmesii was developed using multicopy insertion sequences (ISs) in combination with the pertussis toxin subunit S1 (ptxS1) singleplex assay.

Multilocus sequence typing identifies evidence for recombination and two distinct lineages of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

We describe the development of a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causative agent of the potentially fatal upper respiratory disease diphtheria. Global changes in diphtheria epidemiology are highlighted by the recent epidemic in the former Soviet Union (FSU) and also by the emergence of nontoxigenic strains causing atypical disease. Although numerous techniques have been developed to characterize C.

Effectiveness of adolescent and adult tetanus, reduced-dose diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine against pertussis.

Background: Pertussis is among the most poorly controlled bacterial vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. In 2006, a tetanus, reduced-dose diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) booster was recommended for adolescents and adults. Tdap vaccines were licensed on the basis of antibody response without vaccine effectiveness data.

Development and evaluation of dual-target real-time polymerase chain reaction assays to detect Bordetella spp.

Novel, highly specific, and sensitive real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays using 2 targets, insertion sequence (IS481) and pertussis toxin subunit 1 (ptxS1), were developed to detect Bordetella pertussis and to differentiate between relevant Bordetella spp. Sixty-four non-Bordetella isolates were negative by both assays, demonstrating the specificity of the assays. B.

Epidemiology of severe pneumonia caused by Legionella longbeachae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydia pneumoniae: 1-year, population-based surveillance for severe pneumonia in Thailand.

Background: Legionella species, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydia pneumoniae are recognized as important causes of pneumonia in high-income countries, but their significance in middle-income countries, such as Thailand, is unknown.

Methods: Population-based surveillance identified inpatient 3489 cases of clinically-defined pneumonia in a rural Thai province for 1 year. Patients who had a chest radiograph performed (for 2059 cases of pneumonia) were enrolled in an etiology study (which included 755 cases of pneumonia among 738 patients).