Incidence of pertussis in patients of general practitioners in Poland.

ABSTRACT: We estimated the incidence of pertussis in patients consulting general practitioners (GPs). Between July 2009 and April 2011, we conducted a prospective cohort study of patients attending 78 general practices (158 863 persons overall). We included patients aged ≥ 3 years, with cough lasting 2-15 weeks, who gave informed consent. GPs interviewed eligible patients, collected a blood specimen, and a nasopharyngeal swab. At follow-up 30-60 days after the initial visit, physicians collected a second blood specimen and conducted patient interview. Cases were confirmed by specific IgA and/or IgG antibody titre exceeding significantly the general population background level or detection of bacterial DNA by real-time PCR. During the study period, 3864 patients with prolonged cough consulted the par

SUBMITTER: Stefanoff P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9151120 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature