title: Prevalence of Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis in Samples Submitted for RSV Screening.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The clinical presentation of Bordetella pertussis can overlap with that of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV); however, management differs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  First, the prevalence of B. pertussis is less than 2% among patients screened for RSV, and second the prevalence of B. parapertussis is also less than 2% among these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nasal washings submitted to a clinical laboratory for RSV screening were tested for B. pertussis and B. parapertussis, using species-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. These were optimized to target conserved regions within a complement gene and the CarB gene, respectively. A Bordetella spp. genus-specific real-time PCR assay was designed to detect the Bhur gene of B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, and B. bronchiseptica. RSV A and B subtypes were tested by reverse transcription-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred and eighty-nine clinical samples were tested. There was insufficient material to complete testing for one B. pertussis, 10 RSV subtype A, and four RSV subtype B assays. Bordetella pertussis was detected in 3/488 (0.6%) (95% CI 0.1% to 1.8%), while B. parapertussis was detected in 5/489 (1.0%) (95% CI 0.3% to 2.4%). Dual infection of B. pertussis with RSV and of B. parapertussis with RSV occurred in two and in three cases respectively. RSV was detected by PCR in 127 (26.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of B. pertussis in nasal washings submitted for RSV screening was less than 2%. The prevalence of parapertussis may be higher than 2%. RSV with B. pertussis and RSV with B. parapertussis coinfection do occur.
authors: Kern Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine and David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Walsh
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Overmeyer
authors: Lauren
authors: L
authors: Kimmel
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Feola
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Pusavat
authors: Tuan Anh
authors: TA
authors: Nguyen
authors: Sam
authors: S
authors: Kuan
authors: Kirt
authors: K
authors: Emery
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Rosengreen
authors: Eli
authors: E
authors: Mordechai
authors: Martin E
authors: ME
authors: Adelson