Dynamics of pertussis toxin IgG after symptomatic pertussis in children and adults

Vaccine. 2020 Apr 3;38(16):3196-3200. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.02.080. Epub 2020 Mar 11.

Abstract

Background and aim: The knowledge of dynamics of pertussis toxin (PT)-IgG after pertussis and the appropriate diagnostic cut-off value is limited. We aimed to describe the dynamics of PT-IgG in children and adults up to three years after symptomatic pertussis.

Methods: Patients with persistent cough of unknown aetiology were prospectively enrolled 2012-2014. Pertussis was confirmed by culture, PCR and/or serology. The follow-up samples were taken 4-6 weeks, 1, 2 and 3 years after enrolment. PT-IgG kinetics was described by biexponential model.

Results: Pertussis was diagnosed in 22 patients [median (IQR) age 17.7 (8.4-38.6) years]. Adults compared with children had higher peak of the PT-IgG 397 (IQR 374-518) vs 292 (200-363), p = 0.007, longer time to reach peak PT-IgG 16.4 (IQR 15.6-16.8) days vs 13.3 (13.2-13.4) days, p=<0.001 and shorter PT-IgG half-life 24 days (IQR 20-40) and 364 days (IQR 359-486) p < 0.001.

Conclusion: After symptomatic pertussis, adults and children have different dynamics of PT-IgG. Clinical trial registry: Not applicable.

Keywords: Biexponential model; PT-IgG; Pertussis toxin; Power function decay model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Bordetella pertussis
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Pertussis Toxin
  • Whooping Cough* / diagnosis

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Pertussis Toxin