Epidemiological typing of Bordetella pertussis isolates: Recommendations for a standard methodology

Pertussis is re-emerging in vaccinated populations, and to gain insight int o the reasons for this development population-based studies are necessary. Unfortunately, various techniques are used to study Bordetella pertussis po pulations, hampering comparison between studies. A standard methodology for epidemiological typing of Bordetella pertussis isolates is proposed which is based on serotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and gene typing. S uch a standard approach will allow comparisons between studies performed in different laboratories. Comparisons may reveal whether the epidemiological differences observed between countries are due for instance to different B ordetella pertussis populations or different vaccines used.