"Do we Need to Investigate Respiratory Virus in Hospitalized Infants with Suspected Pertussis?"

Sandra E. Vieira*, Angela E. F

Abstract

Respiratory virus (RV) and Bordetella pertussis (BP) are common etiological agents of respiratory infections in infants during the first year of life. Those infants younger than 6 months, still partially immunized for BP, are also the most susceptible to severe viral infections leading to hospitalization, such as in cases of bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus [1,2]. Although some striking clinical characteristics of pertussis are common in older children and adults, in these infants the clinical picture may be less typical. Co-infection with RV and BP can also occur, due to co-circulation of these agents and the susceptibility of infants [1,3,4].