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Pertussis epidemiology and demographics

Introduction

Overview

Overview

In the United States, the incidence of pertussis is approximately 1.5 to 3.0 per 100,000 individuals, with approximately 5,000 to 7,000 cases reported annually. The incidence of pertussis is thought to be on the rise due to the decline in vaccination rate and diminished herd immunity. Infants and young children < 5 years of age are more commonly infected with pertussis than adults. There is no gender predilection for the development of pertussis. Pertussis-related deaths are rare, but are more common in developing countries, among infants < 6 months of age, and among adult patients with significant co-morbidities.

Epidemiology and Demographics

Epidemiology and Demographics

Incidence

  • In the United States, the incidence of pertussis is approximately 1.5 to 3.0 per 100,000 individuals, with approximately 5,000 to 7,000 cases reported annually.
  • Incidence of pertussis has increased steadily since the 1980s despite the availability of vaccination. It is thought that the decline in vaccination rate and diminished herd immunity may, at least in part, be responsible for the rise of the incidence.

Mortality

  • Pertussis is responsible for approximately 20-40 million deaths worldwide.
  • The majority of pertussis-related deaths occur in Africa and Southeast Asia.
  • Pertussis-related death is rare, but is more common among infants < 6 months of age and among adult patients with significant co-morbidities.

Age

  • Pertussis may infect individuals of all age groups.[1]
  • Infants and young children < 5 years of age are more commonly infected with pertussis than adults.[1]
Age Number of Cases Percentage (%) Age Incidence per 100,000 Individuals
< 6 months 3,330 10.1 169
6-11 months 875 2.7 44.4
1-6 years 6,082 18.5 25.1
7-10 years 5,576 16.9 34
11-19 years 11,159 33.8 29.6
20+ years 58,839 17.7 2.2
Unknown 110 0.3 N/A
Total 32,971 100 10.4*

*Total age incidence per 100,000 calculated from 32,861 cases with age reported.
Table adapted from 2014 Final Pertussis Surveillance Report – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[2]

Gender

  • There is no gender predilection for the development of pertussis.[1]
References

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mattoo S, Cherry JD (2005). “Molecular pathogenesis, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations of respiratory infections due to Bordetella pertussis and other Bordetella species”. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 18 (2): 326–82. doi:10.1128/CMR.18.2.326-382.2005. PMC 1082800. PMID 15831828. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. ↑ “2014 Final Pertussis Surveillance Report” (PDF). www.cdc.gov. 2014. Retrieved Jan 14, 2016.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D.; Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]; Serge Korjian M.D.