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Pertussis rates are rising in developed countries all over the world, with many recent U.S. outbreaks ascribed to premature waning of vaccine-induced immunity in children (JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Sep 12 2012 and JW Infect Dis Aug 1 2012). Rates among adults also are rising, but the disease has fallen off the radar for many clinicians who care for adults, so many cases probably go unrecognized.
Researchers examined a large prospective Australian database to evaluate risks for laboratory-confirmed pertussis among middle-aged and older adults (age, >45). Overall yearly incidence was 94 cases per 100,000 person-years; incidence did not correlate with age and was about 30% higher in women. Hospitalizations among case patients (<5%) increased with …