Dados do Trabalho

Título

Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of Bordetella pertussis isolates in Bahia, Brazil, from 2011 to 2019.

Introdução

Pertussis is a high transmissibility acute infectious disease, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. In recent decades, pertussis has reemergence in countries with high vaccination coverage. The reemergence of whooping cough has been associated with several factors, including adaptation of the pathogen.

Objetivo (s)

The aim of this study was to characterize phenotypic and genotypic B. pertussis strains in Bahia, from 2011 to 2019.

Material e Métodos

A total of 166 B. pertussis strains were recovered by standard microbiology methods. Phenotypic characteristics were assessed using the seroagglutination method, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunoblotting. Genetic characteristics of isolates were analyzed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Sociodemographic characteristics of the isolates were also examined.

Resultados e Conclusão

Most strains were isolated from individuals under 1 year of age (57.2%), with 54.7% of them being two months old. The highest number of isolates was recovered in 2014 (39.2%). Furthermore, 89.8% of the isolates were distributed between 2011-2013 (42.8%; 71/166) and 2014-2015 (47%; 78/166). A variation in serotypes over time was observed with a higher prevalence of serotype 1.3 (52.2%; 37/71) in 2011-2013, and after 2014, serotype 1.2.3 became the most frequent (77.8%;64/95). Also, 48.2% (80/166) of the strains showed pertactin production. A total of 76 electrophoretic profiles were identified using PFGE, with BP.Xba.0163 (7.8%;13/166) and BP.Xba. 0178 (6.6%;11/166) being the most prevalent patterns, predominantly isolated in 2014. Additionally, a reduction in the diversity of electrophoretic profiles was observed over the study period. These findings emphasize the importance of monitoring the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of B. pertussis strains to support control and prevention strategies.

Palavras-chave

Bordetella pertussis, genetic profile selection, whooping cough, pertussis.

Agradecimentos

This study was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (FAPESB) [grant number SUS0015/2018].