A comparison of 2 strategies to prevent infection following pertussis exposure in vaccinated healthcare personnel.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Antibiotic postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) following pertussis exposure is recommended but has never been evaluated in healthcare personnel (HCP) vaccinated with acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap).

Methods

Tdap-vaccinated HCP were randomized to receive azithromycin PEP or no PEP following pertussis exposure. Acute and convalescent nasopharyngeal swabs and sera were obtained for pertussis testing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and anti-pertussis toxin (PT) immunoglobulin G, respectively. A nasopharyngeal aspirate was also collected for PCR and culture from subjects who reported respiratory symptoms within 21 days following identification of the exposure. Pertussis infection was defined as a positive culture or PCR, a 2-fold rise in anti-PT titer, or a single ant

SUBMITTER: Goins WP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3297652 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature