Abstract

Respiratory virus (RV) and Bordetella pertussis (BP) are common etiological agents of respiratory infections in infants during the first year of life. Those infants younger than 6 months, still partially immunized for BP, are also the most susceptible to severe viral infections leading to hospitalization, such as in cases of bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus [1,2]. Although some striking clinical characteristics of pertussis are common in older children and adults, in these infants the clinical picture may be less typical. Co-infection with RV and BP can also occur, due to co-circulation of these agents and the susceptibility of infants [1,3,4].

Author(s): Sandra E. Vieira*, Angela E. Ferronato and Daniela Leite

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