scholarly journals Molecular epidemiology of Bordetella pertussis and analysis of vaccine antigen genes from clinical isolates from Shenzhen, China

Author(s):  
Shuang Wu ◽  
Qinghua Hu ◽  
Chao Yang ◽  
Haijian Zhou ◽  
Hongyu Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although pertussis cases globally have been controlled through the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), the incidence of pertussis has increased significantly in recent years, with a “resurgence” of pertussis occurring in developed countries with high immunization coverage. Attracted by its fast-developing economy, the population of Shenzhen has reached 14 million and has become one of the top five largest cities by population size in China. The incidence of pertussis here was about 2.02/100,000, far exceeding that of the whole province and the whole country (both < 1/100,000). There are increasing numbers of reports demonstrating variation in Bordetella pertussis antigens and genes, which may be associated with the increased incidence. Fifty strains of Bordetella pertussis isolated from 387 suspected cases were collected in Shenzhen in 2018 for genotypic and molecular epidemiological analysis. Methods There were 387 suspected cases of pertussis enrolled at surveillance sites in Shenzhen from June to August 2018. Nasopharyngeal swabs from suspected pertussis cases were collected for bacterial culture and the identity of putative Bordetella pertussis isolates was confirmed by real-time PCR. The immunization history of each patient was taken. The acellular pertussis vaccine (APV) antigen genes for pertussis toxin (ptxA, ptxC), pertactin (prn) and fimbriae (fim2 and fim3) together with the pertussis toxin promoter region (ptxP) were analyzed by second-generation sequencing. Genetic and phylogenetic analysis was performed using sequences publicly available from GenBank, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank/). The antimicrobial susceptibility was test by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion. Results Fifty strains of Bordetella pertussis were successfully isolated from nasopharyngeal swabs of 387 suspected cases, with a positivity rate of 16.79%, including 28 males and 22 females, accounting for 56.0% and 44.0% respectively. Thirty-eight of the 50 (76%) patients were found to be positive for B. pertussis by culture. Among the positive cases with a history of vaccination, 30 of 42 (71.4%) cases had an incomplete pertussis vaccination history according to the national recommendation. Three phylogenetic groups (PG1-PG3) were identified each containing a predominant genotype. The two vaccines strains, CS and Tohama I, were distantly related to these three groups. Thirty-one out of fifty (62%) isolates belonged to genotype PG1, with the allelic profile prn2/ptxC2/ptxP3/ptxA1/fim3-1/fim2-1. Eighteen out of fifty (36%) isolates contained the A2047G mutation and were highly resistant to erythromycin, and all belonged to genotype PG3 (prn1/ptxA1/ptxP1/ptxC1/fim3-1/fim2-1), which is closely related to the recent epidemic strains found in northern China. Conclusions The positive rate of cases under one-year-old was significantly higher than that of other age groups and should be monitored. The dominant antigen genotypes of 50 Shenzhen isolates are closely related to the epidemic strains in the United States, Australia and many countries in Europe. Despite high rates of immunization with APV, epidemics of pertussis have recently occurred in these countries. Therefore, genomic analysis of circulating isolates of B. pertussis should be continued, for it will benefit the control of whooping cough and development of improved vaccines and therapeutic strategies.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Wu ◽  
Qinghua Hu ◽  
Chao Yang ◽  
Haijian Zhou ◽  
Hongyu Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundAlthough the global epidemic of pertussis has been controlled through the expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), the incidence of pertussis has increased significantly in recent years, with a "resurgence" of pertussis occurring in developed countries with high immunization coverage. The incidence of pertussis in Shenzhen, was about 2.02/100,000, far exceeding that of the whole province and the whole country (both < 1/100,000). At the same time, more and more studies have shown that there is antigenic drift in Bortella pertussis, which may be associated with the increased incidence. 50 strains of Bordetella pertussis isolated from 387 suspected cases were collected in Shenzhen in 2018 for genotype distributions and molecular epidemiological characteristics analysis. MethodsThere were 387 suspected cases of pertussis enrolled at surveillance sites in Shenzhen from June to August 2018. Nasopharyngeal swabs of suspicious cases were collected for separation and culture, and the positive strains were identified by real-time PCR. The immunization histories of patients were analyzed to investigate the relationship between pertussis vaccination and infection. The major antigen genes of the isolated positive strains, including ptxA, ptxC, ptxP, prn, fim2, and fim3, were analyzed by second-generation sequencing. The homology and phylogenetic analysis of these genes was performed using the public genome sequence downloaded from GenBank. Results50 strains of Bordetella pertussis were successfully isolated from nasopharyngeal swabs of 387 suspected cases, with a positive rate of 12.9%, including 28 males and 22 females, accounting for 56.0% and 44.0% respectively. It is worth noting that 38 were under one-year-old among the positive patients, accounting for 76.0%. Among the cases with a history of vaccination, 71.4% of positive patients did not complete the basic vaccination process of the DTaP at the time of onset. Three major antigen genotypes different from CS and Tohama I vaccine strains were identified, and they had distant genetic relationships and 62.0% of which was prn2/ptxC2/ptxP3/ptxA1/fim3-1/fim2-1. ConclusionsThe positive rate of cases under one-year-old was significantly higher than that of other age groups and should be monitored. The major antigenic genes of the Bordetella pertussis strains isolated in Shenzhen were different from those of common vaccine strains. This study explained the resurgence of whooping cough from certain angles, including immunization strategy, vaccination time and genome variation of strains, which is beneficial to prevent pertussis infections.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordyn T. Wallenborn ◽  
Anny-Claude Joseph ◽  
Whitney C. Graves ◽  
Saba W. Masho

Background. In the United States, major depressive disorder affects one in five women aged 20-40 years. During these childbearing years, depression can negatively impact maternal behaviors that are crucial for infant growth and development. This study examined the relationship between prepregnancy depression and breastfeeding duration by maternal age. Methods. Data from Phase 7 (2012-2013) of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (N=62,483) were analyzed. Prepregnancy depression was dichotomized while breastfeeding duration was categorized as never breastfed, breastfed 8 weeks or less, and breastfed more than 8 weeks. Maternal age was a significant effect modifier; therefore, results were stratified by maternal age. Multinomial logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results. For women aged 20-24, 25-29, and 30-34 years with prepregnancy depression, the odds of never breastfeeding and breastfeeding 8 weeks or less were significantly higher than in women with no history of prepregnancy depression. Notably, among women aged 25-29 with prepregnancy depression, the odds of never breastfeeding and breastfeeding 8 weeks or less were 93% (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.93, 95% CI =1.57-2.37) and 65% (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.37-1.99) higher compared to women with no history of prepregnancy depression, respectively. Conclusions. Having a history of poor mental health before pregnancy may increase the likelihood of premature breastfeeding cessation. A woman’s mental health status before pregnancy should be considered in reproductive and prenatal care models. Efforts should be made to understand challenges women of specific age groups face when trying to breastfeed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (01) ◽  
pp. 011-015
Author(s):  
Glory Ekpo Bassey ◽  
Emmanuel Eyo Ekanem ◽  
Henry Chima Okpara ◽  
Komomo Ibor Eyong

AbstractPertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease and antibodies formed are known to decline with time. The aim of this study was to measure Bordetella pertussis/toxin immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in different age groups of Nigerian children and determine the age at which booster dose may be required. A total of 422 children, aged 6 to 60 months, were tested for the presence of B. pertussis/toxin IgG antibodies by ELISA (enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay). The highest positivity rate was in the 6 to 11 months of age group, while the highest negativity rate was in the age group of 24 to 35 months. We conclude that B. Pertussis/toxin IgG antibodies response is weak in Nigerian children after three doses of DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus)/pentavalent vaccination, and there is a rapid decline of antibody levels between 12 and 35 months. We recommend that booster vaccination should be given at 12 to 15 months of age.


Author(s):  
Larry DeWitt ◽  
Edward D. Berkowitz

This chapter considers the history of Social Security, arguing that the 1950 amendments represented the fundamental adjustment that allowed the program’s long-term survival. It analyzes current issues in Social Security related to gender, race, and the program’s long-term solvency. It concludes that Social Security has legitimized the receipt of government benefits among many Americans and changed the nature of old age in the United States by providing older people with a guaranteed means of support. A large and costly program, Social Security has evolved into the United States’ major antipoverty program. Nonetheless it faces the criticism of those who argue that it favors older people over other age groups and that it represents an inefficient form of government coercion. Whether the program will be sustained in the future or modified in a significant way remains a critical question.


Author(s):  
Diana V. Sutovskaya ◽  
Alla V. Burlutskaya ◽  
Larisa V. Dubova ◽  
Daria R. Krylova

Background. Recently, there has been an increase in the incidence of pertussis in unvaccinated, as well as vaccinated children and adults. The major risk group for pertussis are infants and children over 4 years of age due to gradual decrease in basic immunity.Objective. The aim of the study was to analyze postvaccinal immunity against pertussis in individuals aged 3 to 25 years in Krasnodar.Methods. The study was carried out in the period between July 2018 and October 2019 and included patients aged 3 to 25 years with completed (according to National Immunization Schedule) immunization against pertussis with no history of pertussis in the past. Postvaccinal immunity against pertussis in this sample was determined by the ratio of study participants with minimum protective antibodies titer to Bordetella pertussis ( 1:160).Results. The minimum protective antibody titer was revealed in 24 out of 76 participants. Distribution to age groups was the following: children aged 3 to 7 years — 2/28 (7%), 8 to 17 years — 13/22 (59%; p < 0.001, compared with the younger age group),  18 years — 9/26 (35%; p = 0.017). There was no postvaccinal immunity (no antibodies detected) in 6 (21%), 1 (5%) and 4 (15%) participants, respectively.Conclusion. Insufficient postvaccinal (humoral) immunity against pertussis was revealed in majority of children under 7 years. The ratio of such children decreases with age. It suggests the presence of hidden circulation of Bordetella pertussis and, as a result, previous medical condition in erased or abortive form.


2006 ◽  
Vol 55 (9) ◽  
pp. 1223-1228 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Litt ◽  
Dhanraj Samuel ◽  
John Duncan ◽  
Anthony Harnden ◽  
Robert C. George ◽  
...  

Bordetella pertussis infection is being increasingly recognized as a cause of prolonged, distressing cough (without whooping symptoms) in children and young adults. Diagnosis of infection in this population is important for treatment and surveillance purposes, and may also prove useful in reducing transmission to unvaccinated babies, for whom disease can be fatal. Serum IgG titres against pertussis toxin (PT) are routinely used as a marker of recent or persisting B. pertussis infection. However, collection of serum from young children is difficult, and compliance amongst these subjects to give samples is low. To circumvent these problems, an IgG-capture ELISA capable of detecting anti-PT IgG in oral fluid was devised. The assay was evaluated by comparison to a serum ELISA, using 187 matched serum and oral fluid samples from children (aged 5–16 years) with a history of prolonged coughing, whose serum anti-PT titre had already been determined (69 seropositive, 118 seronegative). The results showed that, using a cutoff of 70 arbitrary units (AU), the oral fluid assay detected seropositive subjects with a sensitivity of 79.7 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 68.3–88.4] and a specificity of 96.6 % (95 % CI 91.5–99.1). Thus, oral fluid titres of ⩾70 AU would possess a positive predictive value of 76.2–93.2 % for pertussis amongst children with chronic coughs when used as a surrogate for the serum ELISA (assuming disease prevalence of 12–37 %). This oral fluid ELISA will greatly assist in the convenience of B. pertussis disease diagnosis and surveillance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Amrita Bahri ◽  
Monica Lugo

ABSTRACT In the past few months, we have witnessed the ‘worst deal’ in the history of the USA become the ‘best deal’ in the history of the USA. The negotiation leading to the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) appeared as an ‘asymmetrical exchange’ scenario that could have led to an unbalanced outcome for Mexico. However, Mexico stood firm on its positions and negotiated a modernized version of North American Free Trade Agreement. Mexico faced various challenges during this renegotiation, not only because it was required to negotiate with two developed countries but also due to the high level of ambition and demands raised by the new US administration. This paper provides an account of these impediments. More importantly, it analyzes the strategies that Mexico used to overcome the resource constraints it faced amidst the unpredictable political dilemma in the US and at home. In this manner, this paper seeks to provide a blueprint of strategies that other developing countries could employ to overcome their negotiation capacity constraints, especially when they are dealing with developed countries and in uncertain political environments.


Pertussis ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 166-181
Author(s):  
Ruiting Lan ◽  
Sophie Octavia

Pertussis remains one of the least controlled vaccine-preventable diseases despite high vaccine coverage in many countries. There are ongoing debates about the causes of its resurgence. Major changes have occurred in the Bordetella pertussis population since the introduction of vaccination. Currently circulating strains in Australia and many other developed countries are grouped in single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) cluster I (also known as ptxP3 strains). The emergence and expansion of SNP cluster I has been associated with two major genetic changes in B. pertussis: a change in its pertussis toxin promoter (to ptxP3) which leads to increased pertussis toxin production and the change of the acellular vaccine pertactin gene allele to prn2. More recently, strains that lack pertactin have emerged independently in different lineages. The resurgence of pertussis in highly vaccinated populations can be, at least in part, explained by genetic changes that increase the fitness of circulating B. pertussis strains.


Demografie ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 228-245
Author(s):  
Andrey Ugarte Montero ◽  
Onofre Alves Simões

Using the decomposition method, this article examines the dynamics of life expectancy. Three developed countries with relevant differences, Czechia, France, and the United States, were chosen for analysis in order to highlight similarities and differences. The analysis covers more than 40 years, 12 age groups, and 20 mortality chapters. The results reveal a pattern: first, mortality at birth improves; then the survival of lives under 65 increases; finally, improvements come from extending the life of seniors.


This chapter interrogates public understandings of mass shootings. First of all, gun violence statistics for the United States are compared with those in other developed countries. The varying definitions and trends of mass shooting are shown to be problematic in trying to gain an accurate understanding of the phenomenon. Discussed is the history of mass shootings in the United States from “going postal” attacks occurring in post offices and workplace massacres through to school shootings and mass shootings in public places. Possible reasons why the United States has the highest number of mass shootings are deliberated. Hofstede's often-quoted cultural model is used to discuss two national characteristics: high levels of individualism and low power distance between social groups. Other factors highlighted relate to Harding, Fox, and Mehta's model about influencers of school shootings, as well as notions of extreme masculinity which are often expressed via misogynistic behavior.


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