Articles tagged with Pertussis
Researchers at the University of Osaka found that pertussis-associated DNA in wastewater increased before reported cases, indicating a new early warning system for pertussis outbreaks. Wastewater surveillance has the advantage of capturing broader community-level trends, including mild or asymptomatic infections.
A major new study has found that severe asthma patients are often battling other health conditions, with nearly all suffering from at least one major issue. The study identified three distinct profiles linked to how well asthma is controlled and the treatments needed, offering potential breakthroughs for improving care.
A study found that vaccinating pregnant women increases protection for infants against whooping cough, a highly contagious disease. The research team also showed that whole-cell pertussis vaccines provide longer-lasting protection than acellular vaccines, and recommends vaccination during pregnancy as a double-layered defense.
A study found that maternal vaccinations against influenza and pertussis are associated with reduced hospitalization or emergency department visits in infants under 6 months. Implementing maternal vaccination campaigns can enhance infant health outcomes, addressing low vaccination coverage.
A study by Radboud University Medical Center found that pregnant women vaccinated against whooping cough transfer antibodies to their newborns, which provide long-lasting protection. This discovery supports the World Health Organization's recommendation to maintain whole-cell vaccines in low- and middle-income countries.
A new survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds a small but significant drop in the proportion of the public that would recommend getting the MMR vaccine, citing concerns over its safety and effectiveness. The survey also shows declines in perceived safety and effectiveness for other vaccines, such as seasonal flu and Covid-19.
The number of US pertussis cases has surged sixfold since the pandemic began, with over 26,600 reported in 2024. Many Americans are unaware of whooping cough symptoms or that a vaccine exists to prevent it. Despite widespread agreement on the causes and risks of the disease, vaccination rates remain low.
A new nasally-delivered vaccine has been shown to prevent severe disease and curb bacterial transmission, addressing a global need for next-generation immunisation technologies. The vaccine targets the respiratory mucosa, providing stronger protection against respiratory infections.
Pertussis in young infants can be life-threatening, with high white blood cell counts and apnea being common symptoms. Vaccination of mothers during pregnancy is critical to protect newborns against this potentially fatal illness.
A recent study found a sharp increase in hospitalisations for pertussis among children and adolescents in Tuscany, Italy, between 2016 and 2024. The study emphasizes the critical role of timely vaccination administration to prevent further cases and hospitalisations.
A survey of over 1,600 US adults found that most know the negative impacts of smoking and drinking during pregnancy, but uncertainty exists around vaccines and weight gain recommendations. The majority are unsure about recommended vaccines for pregnant individuals, with a notable drop in knowledge since last year.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) emphasizes the need for high immunization coverage to protect European populations from diseases like measles and polio. Vaccination remains a crucial tool in public health, with recent data showing a tenfold surge in reported measles cases in the EU/EEA.
A new study from UT Austin has identified powerful antibodies that neutralize pertussis toxin, a key weakness in the disease. The researchers' findings could improve vaccine effectiveness and longevity of protection.
A new system can quickly identify emerging virus variants and provide information on their genetic changes, helping to understand why they spread differently in human populations. This enables the development of more effective vaccines and targeted treatments for diseases such as flu, COVID, and tuberculosis.
Cases of whooping cough are increasing in the US, with over 28,000 cases reported this year. A nationally representative survey found that many people lack knowledge about the disease's symptoms and vaccine effectiveness.
Researchers developed a nasal vaccine combining traditional pertussis antigens with an innovative adjuvant called T-vant to boost immune response. The new vaccine was shown to prevent the bacteria's colonization in the respiratory tract, significantly curbing whooping cough spread.
A study analyzing 5.5 million EU/EEA infectious disease cases over 10 years found significant sex differences in notified male versus female cases for several diseases. The proportion of males ranged from 40-45% for pertussis and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infections to 75-80% for HIV/AIDS.
Researchers at Butantan Institute and collaborators developed a more potent version of the BCG vaccine, which protects against tuberculosis by inducing a strong immune response. The new formulation protected animals for a significantly longer period than conventional BCG.
A recent pertussis outbreak in Italy has highlighted the critical need for public health interventions such as maternal immunization and early vaccination of infants. The study found that most cases occurred in unvaccinated children, with a significant increase in hospitalizations compared to previous years.
A new complex-carbohydrate biomolecule has been identified as crucial for Bordetella bacteria to colonize the nose and transmit to a new host. The discovery opens up possibilities for creating a new drug or vaccine that interferes with this glycan, potentially eliminating whooping cough transmission.
A competition among researchers predicted B. pertussis vaccine responses based on a simple correlation between calendar age and antibody responses. The result highlights the need for further research to understand variability in vaccination outcomes.
Researchers found that vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria, and shingles, as well as pneumococcus, may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 25-30% in adults over 65. Vaccination is hypothesized to change how the immune system responds to toxic proteins contributing to Alzheimer’s disease.
A new study found that individuals vaccinated with the newer pertussis vaccine show similar immune responses to antigens present and absent from the vaccine, suggesting that asymptomatic infections drive T cell response. This could lead to the spread of the bacteria to vulnerable populations.
A large study of over 3 million patients receiving the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine found extremely rare cases of retinal vascular occlusion. The researchers concluded that there is no evidence suggesting an association between the vaccine and newly diagnosed RVO, rates similar to those of other vaccinations.
A study of 57,460 US cases found a sustained decrease in infant pertussis incidence following Tdap vaccine introduction. Maternal vaccination is associated with reduced disease burden among young infants.
Researchers at UCLA Health have found that masks can prevent not only COVID-19 but also whooping cough, while obesity is linked to an increased risk of stroke and cognitive impairment. The institute has also designed a clinical trial to reduce the use of low-value treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
A survey study found adolescents who received routine childhood vaccines were more likely to receive a COVID-19 vaccine dose. This may indicate that addressing hesitancy about routine vaccinations can reduce concerns about COVID-19 vaccines.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in the uptake of childhood immunizations in Scotland. Researchers analyzed data from over 439,000 vaccine invitations and found higher immunization rates during lockdown periods compared to pre-pandemic years.
A new study suggests that asymptomatic individuals play a significant role in the transmission of pertussis, with up to 70% of infected mothers displaying no symptoms. The findings challenge traditional approaches to diagnosing and treating patients, highlighting the need for a more nuanced interpretation of qPCR test results.
A new Finnish study reveals pertussis is more prevalent among middle-aged adults in European countries than previously assumed, leading to concerns about underdiagnosed cases. The study also highlights the low levels of antibodies against diphtheria, indicating decreasing herd immunity.
A new iGIST method detects pertussis toxin levels, reducing animal testing. The method is more effective and enables detection of lower toxin levels than current methods.
UNSW researchers found that whooping cough bacteria are adapting to evade vaccine-generated immunity by producing more nutrient-binding proteins and fewer immunogenic proteins. A new vaccine is needed to protect vulnerable populations, particularly newborns and those with weakened immune systems.
A WVU researcher is working to preserve pertussis vaccines' effectiveness by exploring ways to improve their recognition of emerging bacterial strains. By incorporating iron-acquisition proteins into the vaccine, Barbier hopes to boost its protection.
A large Kaiser Permanente study found that fully vaccinated children were still at risk of developing pertussis due to waning vaccine effectiveness over time. The study suggests that under-vaccination is only one factor contributing to recent outbreaks, and that a better vaccine that lasts longer between doses is needed.
Researchers developed a statistical method to predict disease reemergence, particularly for preventable childhood infections like measles and pertussis. The model analyzes subtle changes in reported cases to identify early warning signals for emerging diseases.
A recent observational study of 626 pregnancies found that maternal Tdap immunization in the third trimester is associated with higher concentrations of pertussis antibodies in infants. Immunizing mothers earlier in the third trimester may maximize these antibody levels, but definitive immunity levels for whooping cough are unknown.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute found that the current whooping cough vaccine primes the immune system in a way that leaves it vulnerable to future infections. The study suggests that new vaccines could be developed to improve the vaccine's efficacy, potentially applicable to other vaccines.
A UNC study found that administering the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy significantly reduces the occurrence of infant pertussis, with a 75% decrease in hospitalizations and a 46% decrease in all cases. The study suggests optimal timing of immunization between 27-36 weeks of pregnancy.
According to Public Health Ontario and ICES, whooping cough cases in Ontario are more frequent than previously known, with estimated cases being nearly double reported cases. This highlights the need for people to ensure their immunizations are up-to-date to limit potential infection and spread.
A study reveals that incomplete vaccination coverage is causing a predictable increase in pertussis cases. The vaccine's effectiveness decreases over time, allowing susceptible individuals to contract the disease. Researchers recommend targeting schoolchildren for vaccination campaigns.
Scientists link whooping cough resurgence in the US to incomplete adult vaccination and declining vaccine efficacy over time. School-aged children are identified as a key transmission hub for future vaccination efforts.
A recent study concludes that natural population turnover, incomplete vaccination coverage, and waning protection from a highly effective yet imperfect vaccine explain the resurgence of whooping cough in the US. The disease's high contagiousness and potential for fatal complications make it essential to understand its causes.
Researchers argue that acellular vaccines' inability to prevent infections contributes to the disease's resurgence. The study highlights differences in mucosal immunity between whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines, which may have led to the increase in cases.
A study published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry reveals that bacterial toxins from E. coli can cause urinary tract infections with a different mechanism than pertussis toxin, which causes whooping cough. Understanding this diversity may help improve existing vaccines and create new ones.
A study published in Pediatrics found that maternal Tdap vaccination during pregnancy reduced pertussis risk for infants by an estimated 91% within the first two months, and 69% for the entire first year. This research supports current recommendations to administer Tdap vaccine to pregnant women during each pregnancy.
A new study from Drexel University found no correlation between day care density and pertussis cases in Philadelphia. Vaccination was the most important factor in preventing the illness, with 81% of uninfected children up-to-age-six current on their immunization.
A University of Pittsburgh-developed program successfully increases vaccination rates in adult patients seen at primary care offices. Practices participating in the 4 Pillars Practice Transformation Program had nearly three times the increase in Tdap vaccine uptake compared to non-participating offices.
Researchers analyzed numerous studies and reports to find that unvaccinated individuals comprised a substantial proportion of cases in measles and pertussis outbreaks. Vaccine refusal was associated with an elevated risk for measles and pertussis, even among fully vaccinated individuals.
A new app aims to inform and remind pregnant women about vaccination options, particularly flu and whooping cough, to protect both mothers and babies. The MatImms app provides personalized schedules, explains vaccine benefits, and addresses concerns, with the goal of increasing vaccination rates.
A Kaiser Permanente study found moderate protection against whooping cough during the first year after vaccination, but effectiveness dwindles to less than 9% after four years among teenagers vaccinated with newer acellular pertussis vaccine as infants and children. Targeted rounds of vaccination may be necessary for adolescents.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed two antibodies to potentially treat or prevent pertussis, a highly contagious respiratory tract infection that affects millions of infants worldwide. The antibodies potently neutralize pertussis toxin, bolstering immune function and rapidly reducing white blood cell counts.
A study published in JAMA Network found a small increased risk of childhood-onset epilepsy among Danish children with hospital-diagnosed pertussis infections. Researchers identified 90 cases of epilepsy in the pertussis cohort, compared to 511 in the general population.
A study examining the safety of Tdap vaccination in pregnant women found no significant differences in acute adverse events or adverse birth outcomes between those vaccinated recently and those not. The researchers' findings provide reassurance for patients and clinicians regarding the use of Tdap vaccine during pregnancy.
An outbreak of Bordetella parapertussis was reported in southeastern Minnesota in 2014, with all affected children up to date on pertussis vaccines. The finding suggests that the vaccine may not protect against this lesser-known species.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that lax state vaccination laws contribute to lower immunization rates and increased outbreaks of preventable diseases, such as whooping cough and measles. States with stricter policies have lower pertussis rates, highlighting the impact of policymakers on disease prevention.
A new study suggests that vaccinated people who are infectious but symptom-free may be transmitting whooping cough multiple times throughout their lives, exacerbating the outbreak. The research highlights the importance of getting vaccinated, especially for children, as the primary source of protection against severe disease and death.
Researchers discovered that the protein structure of a key membrane protein differs from a previously postulated model, providing a basis for new treatments. The study reveals how the protein pore opens and closes in response to substrate binding, offering insights into the pathogen's attachment mechanism.
A recent study found that a drop in vaccine protection is a likely explanation for the surge in pertussis disease cases in the US. The 'acellular' vaccine is found to have lower protection levels compared to the previously-used 'whole-cell' vaccine.
A mathematical model identified booster schedules that result in the greatest reduction in whooping cough disease with the lowest economic cost. The most effective strategies varied depending on the underlying causes of the resurgence, including insufficient vaccine coverage, low vaccine efficacy, waning immunity, and leaky vaccines.
A new University of Michigan analysis reveals that less than half of Michigan birthing hospitals provide prevention information on their websites about Tdap vaccination and whooping cough. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends Tdap vaccination during pregnancy to protect newborns from this potentially deadly disease.