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News: The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh reported a sharp rise of pertussis-like infections by Bordetella holmesii in north India, based on 2019–2023 surveillance.
About Bordetella Holmesii
- Bordetella holmesii is a Gram-negative coccobacillus, strictly aerobic and slow-growing organism.
- First identified: It was first identified as a distinct species in 1995.
- Diseases caused by it:
- Pertussis-like illness: It presents with symptoms similar to whooping cough.
- Invasive infections: It can cause bacteremia, pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis, pericarditis, and septic arthritis.
- Misdiagnosis: It is frequently misdiagnosed as B. pertussis because standard diagnostic tests are not species-specific.
- Detection:
- Accurate detection needs precise molecular assays (e.g., real-time PCR) targeting insertion sequences.
- Culture technique and real-time PCR are 2 methods used to detect Bordetella spp.
- Resistance: It can show resistance to some antibiotics commonly used for B. pertussis and other invasive infections, such as macrolides and certain cephalosporins
- Epidemiological significance: Recent studies indicate that B. holmesii is a significant cause of infection in some areas.
- For example, a study in North India found it responsible for nearly 37% of pertussis-like infections, exceeding those caused by B. pertussis.
