title: Nosocomial acquisition of pertussis diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction.
abstract: Awareness is growing of the role of pertussis infection among adolescents and adults, and of the possibility of nosocomial transmission. However, pertussis remains difficult to diagnose. We report a case of nosocomially acquired pertussis in a healthcare worker, diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction. The high sensitivity and rapid turnaround time for this test is useful to confirm the diagnosis when advising a healthcare worker to refrain from working.
authors.affiliation: Division of Microbiology/Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Matlow
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wray
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cox
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016358:Contact Tracing; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012138:Respiratory Therapy; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission