Etiological distribution of pertussis-like syndrome in 756 children in Chengdu

BACKGROUND: To analyze and summarize the etiological distribution of pertussis-like syndrome in children and to provide a basis for clinical treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 756 children with pertussis-like syndrome hospitalized at the Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine of Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, 2015 to 2019. The etiological features were classified and reviewed. RESULTS: Among 756 children with pertussis-like syndrome, 439 cases were positive for etiological agents Among the 439 cases, 268 cases were positive for bacterial agents (positive rate 35.45%), including 174 cases (65.25%) positive for Haemophilus influenza (H. influenza). There were 75 cases (9.92%) positive for viral antibodies, including 29 cases (accounting for 38.67% of all cases positive for viral infection) positive for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). There were 243 cases (32.14%) positive for Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) antibodies. As to the general distribution of infections, cases with infections caused by a single type of bacteria accounted for 20.63%; cases with M. pneumoniae infection accounted for 18.78%; and cases with bacterial infection combined with M. pneumoniae infection accounted for 8.73%. CONCLUSIONS: H. influenza, RSV, and M. pneumoniae were important pathogens causing pertussis-like syndrome in children. Bacterial infection, M. pneumoniae infection, and mixed infection caused by the two pathogens were the primary causes of pertussis-like syndrome in children.