Resumo

MORON DUARTE, Lina Sofía et al. A STUDY INTO THE CARRIERS OF BORDETELLA PERTUSSIS BETWEEN 12 AND 19 YEARS OLD TOLIMA, COLOMBIA 2007 . Investig. andina [online]. 2008, vol.10, n.17, pp.7-26. ISSN 0124-8146.

Antecedents: studies have revealed that Bordetella Pertussis is present in a significant number of adolescents and adults, thus confirming its agency in the development of the syndrome in up to 30% of the cases examined. This may in turn play an important role in the transmission of the disease to breast fed children. To determine the nature of the bacteria B. Pertussis in adolescents carriers, residents of Tolima and to evaluate the efficacy of the polymerase (PCR) chain reaction strategy as a diagnostic medium on the carrier. Methods: a field study conducted on a cross section of the population in which 400 youths between the ages of 12 and 19 were selected by means of random testing. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected and treated with live cultive techniques: direct immunofluorescence (IFD) with polyclonal antibodies on the one hand, and polymerase (PCR) IS4801-IS4802 chain reaction methods on the other. Treatment was undertaken in the National Institute for Health. Results: 400 samples were treated with negative cultures: 34 (8.5%) tested positive with IFD and 132(33%) with PCR. Both techniques were positive 29(17%) and 263(66%) negative with IFD and PCR. Of the total samples taken 34.25% (137/400) were positive. The sensitivity of PCR in relation to IFD was 85.3% (IC:95%, 15,4- 30.2) and in relation to VPN was 98.1% (IC:95%, 95.5-99.3). Conclusions: carriers of the strain tested with IFD and PCR are shown to be healthy, nevertheless the live bacteria remains the prototype of the illness and for this reason the study is inconclusive in its findings. A process of continual assessment into the condition of the B.Pertussis carriers is necessary in order to ascertain whether, amongst those diagnosed by live cultures, there are not those who are asymptomatic carriers.

Palavras-chave : B.Pertussis; whooping cough; nasopharyngeal; direct immunofluorescence (IFD); polymer (PCR) chain reaction.