Analysis of Bordetella pertussis Variants in Queensland, Australia
Author Information
Author(s): Shane Byrne, Andrew Slack
Primary Institution: Public Health Microbiology, Queensland Health Scientific Services, Brisbane, Australia
Hypothesis
Are Bordetella pertussis variants becoming more prevalent in Queensland since the introduction of acellular vaccines?
Conclusion
B. pertussis variants are not becoming more prevalent in Queensland since the introduction of acellular vaccines.
Supporting Evidence
- 82.5% of the isolates possessed the prn1/ptxS1A genotype.
- Only three different PRN types were detected among the isolates.
- Historical data shows a significant decrease in the prevalence of prn3 compared to previous years.
Takeaway
The study looked at bacteria that cause whooping cough in Queensland and found that the types of bacteria haven't changed much since new vaccines were introduced.
Methodology
DNA sequencing and LightCycler™ real-time PCR were used to examine 46 B. pertussis isolates.
Potential Biases
Non-probabilistic sampling methods may not accurately represent the population.
Limitations
The study's sample size is small compared to the total notifications of pertussis disease, which may affect the validity of the results.
Participant Demographics
The age distribution of patients included infants and children, with a slightly higher rate of infection in females.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0034
Statistical Significance
p=0.0034
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website