PERTUSSIS IN PRIMARY-CARE PRACTICE - RECENT ADVANCES IN DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION

Pertussis continues to be an important vaccine-preventable disease. Th e recent multiple outbreaks of pertussis have heightened interest in i ts diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Diagnosis remains challenging , although new diagnostic tests, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of sera and polymerase chain reaction of nasopharyngeal aspirat es, offer the possibility of more rapid diagnosis. Erythromycin remain s the preferred antimicrobial to reduce secondary transmission of pert ussis. The recent approval of acellular pertussis vaccine for the prim ary series of immunizations ushers in an exciting new era of pertussis prevention.