title: Pertussis: Biology, epidemiology and prevention.
abstract: Despite long-standing vaccination programs, substantial increases in reported cases of pertussis have been described in several countries during the last 5years. Cases among very young infants who are at greatest risk of pertussis-related hospitalizations and mortality are the most alarming. Multiple hypotheses including but not limited to the availability of more sensitive diagnostic tests, greater awareness, and waning vaccine-induced immunity over time have been posited for the current challenges with pertussis. The conference "Pertussis: biology, epidemiology and prevention" held in Annecy-France (November 11-13, 2015) brought together experts and interested individuals to examine these issues and to formulate recommendations for optimal use of current vaccines, with a particular focus on strategies to minimize severe morbidity and mortality among infants during the first months of life. The expert panel concluded that improving vaccination strategies with current vaccines and development of new highly immunogenic and efficacious pertussis vaccines that have acceptable adverse event profiles are currently the two main areas of investigation for the control of pertussis. Some possible pathways forward to address these main challenges are discussed in this report.
authors: Pôle Santé, Recherche, Risques et Vigilances Groupement Hospitalier Edouard Herriot, Unité d'Hygiène, Epidémiologie et Prévention, 5 Place d'Arsonval, 69437 Lyon cedex 03, France. Electronic address: mitra.elahi@chu-lyon.fr.
authors: Mitra
authors: M
authors: Saadatian-Elahi
authors: University of Pennsylvania and Vaxconsult, LLC, USA.
authors: Stanley
authors: S
authors: Plotkin
authors: School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
authors: Kingston H G
authors: KHG
authors: Mills
authors: Canadian Centre for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, The IWK Health Centre and Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors: Scott A
authors: SA
authors: Halperin
authors: National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Peter B
authors: PB
authors: McIntyre
authors: Fondation Mérieux, 17 rue Bourgelat, 69002 Lyon, France.
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Picot
authors: Fondation Mérieux, 17 rue Bourgelat, 69002 Lyon, France.
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Louis
authors: Global Medical Affairs, Sanofi Pasteur, Swiftwater, PA, USA.
authors: David R
authors: DR
authors: Johnson
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007223:Infant; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D010567:Pertussis Vaccine
keywords: Biology; Conference report; Epidemiology; Pertussis; Vaccination