Macrolide-resistant Bordetella pertussis strain identified during an ongoing epidemic, Finland, January to October 2024

Euro Surveill. 2024 Dec;29(49):2400765. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.49.2400765.

Abstract

Since April 2024, a pertussis epidemic has been ongoing in Finland with 2,215 notified cases by end October. Of them, 30.1% (n = 667) were aged 10-14 years. Of the 462 Bordetella pertussis isolates characterised, one was macrolide-resistant (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of erythromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin > 256 μg/mL). The resistant isolate was serotype FIM2, vaccine antigen pertactin-deficient and harboured ptxP3 allele. The emergence of macrolide-resistant B. pertussis in Europe is worrisome and its rapid identification is important.

Keywords: Bordetella pertussis; macrolide resistance; pertactin expression; pertussis; post-COVID-19 resurgence; whooping cough.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Azithromycin / pharmacology
  • Azithromycin / therapeutic use
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Bordetella pertussis* / drug effects
  • Bordetella pertussis* / genetics
  • Bordetella pertussis* / isolation & purification
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Clarithromycin / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Epidemics
  • Erythromycin / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Finland / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Macrolides* / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests*
  • Whooping Cough* / epidemiology
  • Whooping Cough* / microbiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Macrolides
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Azithromycin
  • Clarithromycin
  • Erythromycin
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins