Sero-epidemiology of Bordetella pertussis in England and Wales.
The incidence of pertussis infection can be estimated in the population by defining a single high titre of anti pertussis toxin (PT) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody predictive of recent infection. Sera samples collected in 1986, 1996 or annually between 1987 and 1998 were tested for anti-PT IgG antibody. In 1996, the age-adjusted prevalence of pertussis infection was 1.2% and was higher in children than in adults. Amongst samples collected annually, older age and female sex, but none of the temporal variables, were associated with a serologically defined pertussis infection. There is an important incidence of infection in the population, which is greater amongst children than adults, but there is only limited evidence of a correlation with epidemic cycles.
Immunisation Division, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Health Protection Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK. anthony.nardone@hpa.org.uk
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A
Nardone
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Pebody
P A C
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Maple
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Andrews
N J
NJ
Gay
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Miller
D000367:Age Factors; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D015166:Monitoring, Immunologic; D037342:Pertussis Toxin / Q000276:immunology; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine; D037342:Pertussis Toxin