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. 2017 May;145(7):1392-1397.
doi: 10.1017/S0950268816003332. Epub 2017 Feb 21.

The characterization of Bordetella pertussis strains isolated in the Central-Western region of Brazil suggests the selection of a specific genetic profile during 2012-2014 outbreaks

E L Rocha  1 , D Leite  2 , C H Camargo  2 , L M Martins  2 , R S N Silva  3 , V P Martins  1 , T A Campos  1
Affiliations

The characterization of Bordetella pertussis strains isolated in the Central-Western region of Brazil suggests the selection of a specific genetic profile during 2012-2014 outbreaks

E L Rocha et al. Epidemiol Infect. 2017 May.

Abstract

Pertussis is a worldwide acute respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Despite high vaccine coverage, the bacterium continues to circulate in populations and is still one of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases. In Brazil, pertussis incidence has presented a significant decrease since 1990 but since 2011 a sudden increase in incidence has been observed. Thus, the aim of this study was to perform a molecular epidemiological characterization of B. pertussis strains isolated in the Central-Western region (specifically in Distrito Federal) of Brazil from August 2012 to August 2014. During this period, 92 B. pertussis strains were isolated from the outbreaks. All strains were characterized by serotyping and XbaI pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles. From August to December 2012, the most prevalent serotype observed was 1,3 (13/17). During 2013 the prevalence of serotype 1,3 decreased (13/30) and from January 2014 to August 2014 the most prevalent serotype was 1,2 (33/45). Fourteen PFGE profiles were identified. Of these, BP-XbaI0039 prevalence increased from 3/17 in 2012 to 10/30 in 2013, and 35/45 in 2014. These results evidence the selection of a specific genetic profile during this period, suggesting the occurrence of a bacterial genomic profile with high circulation potential.

Keywords: Bordetella pertussis; genetic profile selection; pertussis; whooping cough.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Serotype prevalence of Bordetella pertussis strains isolated in the Distrito Federal region of Brazil in four periods (August–December 2012; January–July 2013; August–December 2013; January–August 2014). NT, Non-typed.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Prevalence of genetic profiles identified by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) in Bordetella pertussis strains isolated in the Distrito Federal region of Brazil in four periods (August–December 2012; January–July 2013; August–December 2013; January–August 2014).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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