Resurgence of Bordetella pertussis, including one macrolide-resistant isolate, France, 2024
Carla Rodrigues, Valérie Bouchez, Anaïs Soares, Sabine Trombert‐Paolantoni, Fatima Aït El Belghiti, Jérémie F. Cohen, Nathalie Armatys, Annie Landier, Thomas Blanchot, Marie Hervo, REMICOQ study group, Julie Toubiana, Sylvain Brisse
Abstract
As other European countries, France is experiencing a resurgence of pertussis in 2024. Between 1 January and 31 May 2024, 5,616 (24.9%) positive Bordetella pertussis qPCR tests were identified, following a 3-year period of almost null incidence. Of 67 cultured and whole genome sequenced B. pertussis isolates, 66 produced pertactin and 56 produced FIM2, in contrast to pre-COVID-19 years. One isolate of genotype Bp-AgST4 was resistant to macrolides. Pertussis resurgence may favour isolates that produce FIM2 and pertactin.