Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera, Moscow; Regional Children Clinical Hospital, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
Study of presence of antibodies against pertussis in 72 rheumatic patients (with uvenile rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.) aged 1 — 18 year old without history of pertussis was performed. Mean age of the patients was 10.6±0.48 year old, duration of illness — 51.2±4.42 months. Immunosupressive therapy at the time of the study was conducted in 68 (94.4%) children. Using ELISA method, IgG to pertussis toxin (PT) and to antigens of acellular pertussis vaccine (aPV) were detected in 98.6% and 100% of children. High titers of antibod-ies were detected more frequently in 7 — 18 year old age group, which can indicate recent pertussis disease or infection. Vaccination history was studied in 131 children with rheumatic diseases. Incidence of pertussis in 43 unvaccinated children was 116.3 per 1000, and in 16 children with incomplete vaccination — 62.5 per 1000. Out of 75 patients, who received vaccination series and revaccination, clinically distinct pertussis was not diagnosed.
Zh. Mikrobiol. (Moscow), 2007, No. 6, P. 61—64