Usefulness of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis in assessing nosocomial transmission of pertussis.
During a 2-week period, three infants with a cough lasting at least 8 days with whoops, were admitted to the pediatric unit; Bordetella pertussis was isolated from nasopharyngeal aspirates collected from the three infants. Approximately 1 week later, a nurse working on the same unit developed influenza-like symptoms followed by whooping cough; B pertussis was isolated. Isolates from the nurse and from one of the infants were shown to be indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. These data demonstrate that B pertussis transmission to healthcare workers is possible and emphasize the need to use respiratory protection devices (Droplet Precautions) for healthcare workers having close contact with infected children.
Nouvellon
M
M
Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rouen, France.
Gehanno
J F
JF
Pestel-Caron
M
M
Weber
C
C
Lemeland
J F
JF
Guiso
N
N
D000328:Adult; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; D009726:Nurses; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission*