Pertussis in childhood.

摘要

Pertussis, commonly known as "whooping cough," is a respiratory illness caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. The classic clinical syndrome causes morbidity by affecting the upper respiratory tract in patients of all ages. The disease can be modified greatly and prevented by primary vaccination. An ongoing resurgence of clinical pertussis has been seen in the United States over the past decade, with increasing numbers of young infants affected despite the availability of effective vaccines. It is important to understand the biological properties of the bacterium, the clinical presentation, and the factors contributing to the continuing burden of this disease.