When was the first outbreak of pertussis?
Outbreaks of pertussis were first described in the 16th century by Guillaume de Baillou. The organism was first isolated by Jules Bordet and Octave Gengou in 1906. In the 20th century, pertussis was one of the most common childhood diseases and a major cause of childhood mortality in the United States.
Where was the first case of pertussis?
It was first recognized in the Middle Ages and since then various epidemics have been described. Jules Bordet and Octave Gengou isolated Bordetella pertussis, a causative agent for whooping cough, in Paris more than 100 years ago, which created an excellent opportunity to invent a vaccine.
What is the epidemiology of pertussis?
The rate of cough illnesses (pertussis) caused by B pertussis infection in adolescents and adults is between 370 and 1500 per 100,000 population. These data suggest that there are between approximately 800,000 and 3.3 million cases per year in the United States.
How did whooping cough start?
Whooping cough is caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, tiny germ-laden droplets are sprayed into the air and breathed into the lungs of anyone who happens to be nearby.
What causes pertussis?
Pertussis, a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough, is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. These bacteria attach to the cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions) that line part of the upper respiratory system.
Is pertussis seasonal?
Pertussis has no distinct seasonal pattern, but it may increase in the summer and fall.
What is the pathogenesis of whooping cough?
pertussis is transmitted by aerosols and infects the ciliated epithelium of the airways. There is no further dissemination of the infection, but bacterial toxins produced in the respiratory tract contribute to local and systemic disease pathogenesis [10–13].
What are the stages of pertussis?
There are three recognized stages of the disease: catarrhal, paroxysmal, and convalescent. The incubation period for Pertussis is 7 to 10 days.