UPDATE ON EPIDEMIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT OF PERTUSSIS

Although Bordetella pertussis was identified as the causative organism of whooping cough in 1906 (1), numerous questions regarding epidemiol ogy, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this disease remain unans wered. Widespread immunization has drastically reduced the prevalence of pertussis in many countries, but epidemics still occur, even in wel l-immunized communities (2, 3), which explains the continued interest in this old disease. This editorial will focus on some recent developm ents in the areas of epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of pertuss is; it is not, however, intended as a comprehensive review of these fi elds.