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.