THE PLACE OF THE BORDETELLA SPP. INFECTION IN THE RESPIRATORY SYNDROMS DOMINATED BY COUGH IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN, A 5 YEARS SURVEY.

Introduction: Cough is a common indication of respiratory illness and is one of the more common symptoms of children seeking medical attention. Material and Method: We conducted a clinic-based retrospective surveillance witch analyzed the cases managed at "The National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Prof. Dr Matei Bals" - Pediatric Department, Bucharest during the period of January 2010 up to December 2014 who presented accusing cough episodes from over a week and who associated one of the following symptoms: paroxysms of coughing, inspiratory "whoop," posttussive vomiting or apnea. We selected 790 suitable cases for whom we analyzed: age, sex, vaccinal status, severity of the disease and the complications. The etiological diagnosis was made by serologic testing for Bordetella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Adenovirus and by rapid testing for Sincitial Respiratory Virus (RSV). Results and findings. Based on the etiological stratification 108 patients (13,8%) were diagnosed with Bordetella Spp infections, 62,4% of them being completely unvaccinated against Pertusis, representing 11% of the national reported cases of Whooping Cough during the 5 years of survey. With decresing frequencies the rest of the cases (682) were caused by: RSV (39,7%), Adenovirus (21,5%), Mycoplasma (18,3%), Chlamydia (6,7%). The majority of the cases evolved favorable, no fatal cases were registered but 279 presented with initial altered status and required, on average, 3 days of Intensive Care Unit management. The average hospitalization period registered is 6,9 days. All the severe complications were registered in the < 6 months age group. Conclusion: Whooping cough remains endemic in Romania and Bordetells Spp. infection is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality rates among children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]