title: The First Report of Epidemic Pertussis by Bahaodowle Razi From the 15th Century Anno Domini.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pertussis or "whooping cough" is an acute, communicable infection of the respiratory tract caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It has been recorded in history of medicine that the first pertussis epidemic was reported in 1578 by a French scientist, Guillaume de Baillou, in Paris. Furthermore, the causative agent was first isolated in 1906 by Jules Jean Baptiste Vincent Bordet and his brother-in-law Octave Gengou. However, it seems that earlier reports can be found in history of medicine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study as to analyze the first Report of Epidemic Pertussis by Bahaodowle Razi From the 15th Century Anno Domini.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated a copy (Persian lithograph) of the book named "a summary of experiences in medicine", written by Bahaoddin-bin-Ghasem-Bahaoddin Razi (well known as Bahaodowle Razi) in 1502 to find the earliest existing report of epidemic pertussis in the history.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bahaodowle Razi, a Persian physician from the 15th century Anno Domini (AD), reported two epidemics in Harat and one in Rey (inold Persia) for the first time, one century before Baillou. He named it as Sorfe-ie-Am (meaning public cough). Those occurred during his lifetime. Explaining about his observations and experiences about this epidemic, Bahaodowle Razi elaborated on prognosis, symptoms, etiology and predisposing factors of pertussis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This document shows that Bahaodowle Razi's report was the first report of epidemic pertussis in the medical history.
authors.affiliation: Department of History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran ; Research Office for the History of Persian Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yarmohammadi
authors.affiliation: Research Office for the History of Persian Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohamad H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Bahmani Kazeruni
authors.affiliation: Department of History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soofi
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Department of Phytopharmaceuticals (Traditional Pharmacy), School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Arman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zargaran
keywords: History of Medicine; Persian Medicine; Whooping Cough