PCR testiranje najpouzdanija metoda za ranu dijagnozu velikog kašlja
Danas razgovaramo o velikom kašlju, poznatom i kao pertussis, veoma zaraznoj bolesti disajnih organa. Sa nama je prim. dr Nada Lazović, stručnjak za bolesti disajnih organa.
Doktorka, možete li nam reći više o velikom kašlju i šta ga uzrokuje?
–Naravno. Veliki kašalj uzrokuje bakterija Bordetella pertussis. Karakteriše ga jaki napadi kašlja, često praćeni „zviždućim“ zvukom kada osoba udahne. Kašalj se nekada oglašava kao njak magarca, pa se u narodu zove „Magareći kašalj“. Bolest je veoma zarazna, posebno u ranim fazama kada simptomi mogu biti blagi.
Koji su simptomi velikog kašlja i kako bolest napreduje?
–Simptomi velikog kašlja obično počinju kao simptomi slični prehladi, poput curenja nosa, blagog kašlja i blage temperature. Nakon 1-2 nedelje, kašalj postaje sve teži, dovodeći do intenzivnih i brzih napada kašlja koji mogu trajati nekoliko nedelja. Ovi napadi kašlja mogu biti toliko jaki da mogu dovesti do povraćanja, iscrpljenosti i otežanog disanja.
Kako se prenosi veliki kašalj i ko je najviše ugrožen?
–Veliki kašalj se prenosi respiratornim kapljicama kada zaražena osoba kašlje ili kija. Veoma je zarazan, posebno u ranim fazama bolesti. Bebe i mala deca su posebno osetljive na teške komplikacije od velikog kašlja, uključujući upalu pluća, napade i čak smrt.
Kako se postavlja dijagnoza velikog kašlja i koji je najpouzdaniji metod?
–Za dijagnostiku velikog kašlja bitna je dobro uzeta anamneza. Za testiranje se uzima nazofaringeni bris ili aspirat iz bronhija. Određuje se titar antitela IgM i IgG. Testiranje na veliki kašalj može se vršiti pomoću PCR testa, koji detektuje genetski materijal bakterije. PCR testiranje se smatra najpouzdanijim metodama za dijagnozu velikog kašlja, jer može otkriti bakterije čak i u ranim fazama bolesti kada simptomi mogu biti blagi. Rana dijagnoza i lečenje su važni za sprečavanje širenja bolesti i smanjenje rizika od komplikacija, posebno kod osetljivih populacija poput beba i male dece. Edukacija javnosti o kontinuiranoj važnosti testiranja, posebno u prisustvu novih varijanti, od suštinskog je značaja. PCR laboratorije igraju ključnu ulogu ne samo u detekciji, već i u promovisanju javne svesti i razumevanja.
Medijski smo pratili realizaciju projekta «Stop Kovid 19» kada su kroz program «Srca Evrope» Rotari Fondacija, USAID i drugi partneri, podržali Globalni projekat Rotari Kluba Čačak, sa ino partnerom Rotari Klub Austin iz Teksasa, i obezbedili modernu opremu za uspostavljanje PCR Laboratorije. PCR Laboratorija je u sklopu Zavoda za javno zdravlje i radi testiranja na razne viruse i bakterije, među njima i na bakteriju koja uzrokuje veliki kašalj.
– Tako je. Lekari i osoblje Zavoda za javno zdravlje profesionalno su obučeni za rad na modernoj opremi. Inicijalna namena PCR laboratorije bila je otkrivanje virusa COVID-19 u ranoj fazi, radi nezavisnosti u ranoj dijagnostici, sprečavanju širenja virusa i spašavanja života. Osim virusa COVID-19, testiranje je sada prošireno na viruse influence A i B, RSV (respiratorni sincicijalni virus), hlamidiju, Humani Papiloma Virus… Testiranje putem PCR-a svakako je najpouzdanija metoda za ranu dijagnozu bilo o kojem virusu ili bakteriji je reč.
Hvala vam, dr Lazović što ste nam osvetlili ovu važnu temu i naglasili značaj rane dijagnoze. Nastavljamo našu diskusiju o velikom kašlju i sada se fokusiramo na prevenciju. Dr Lazović, možete li nam reći o važnosti vakcinacije u prevenciji velikog kašlja?
–Vakcinacija je ključna u prevenciji velikog kašlja. Pentaksim vakcina, koja štiti od difterije, tetanusa, velikog kašlja, hemofilusa i poliomijelitisa rutinski se daje bebama i maloj deci kao deo njihovog vakcinalnog rasporeda. Takođe se preporučuje adolescentima i odraslima, posebno onima koji su u bliskom kontaktu sa bebama.
Koje druge preventivne mere ljudi mogu preduzeti da se zaštite i zaštite druge od velikog kašlja?
–Osim vakcinacije, druge preventivne mere uključuju izbegavanje bliskog kontakta sa zaraženim osobama, praksu dobre higijene pranjem ruku često sapunom i vodom, posebno posle kašljanja ili kijanja i pokrivanje usta i nosa prilikom kašljanja ili kijanja kako bi se sprečilo širenje respiratornih kapljica.
Kako trudnice mogu da se zaštite i zaštite svoje novorođenčad od velikog kašlja?
– Trudnice se mogu zaštititi i zaštititi svoje novorođenče primanjem odgovarajuće vakcine tokom svake trudnoće, po mogućstvu između 27. i 36. nedelje a uz obaveznu konsultaciju sa izabranim lekarom . Ovo pomaže u zaštiti novorođenčadi od velikog kašlja u prvim mesecima života kada su najranjiviji.
Hvala vam, dr Lazović, što ste istakli važnost vakcinacije i drugih preventivnih mera u zaštiti od velikog kašlja. Jasno je da preduzimanjem ovih koraka pojedinci mogu pomoći u smanjenju rizika od komplikacija povezanih sa ovom bolešću i zaštiti ranjivih populacija kao što su bebe i mala deca.
„Ovaj članak je omogućen velikodušnom podrškom američkog naroda preko Agencije za međunarodni razvoj Sjedinjenih Američkih Država (USAID). Sadržaj je odgovornost Rotari kluba Čačak, Srbija i ne mora nužno odražavati stavove USAID-a ili Vlade Sjedinjenih Američkih Država.“
Rotari klub Čačak
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The Most Reliable Method for Early Diagnosis of Whooping Cough
Today we are talking about whooping cough, also known as pertussis, a highly contagious respiratory disease. With us is Dr. Nada Lazović, a specialist in respiratory diseases. Doctor, can you tell us more about whooping cough and what causes it?
– Of course. Whooping cough is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is characterized by severe coughing fits, often accompanied by a „whooping“ sound when the person inhales. The cough is sometimes described as a „braying donkey,“ hence the name „whooping cough.“ The disease is highly contagious, especially in the early stages when symptoms may be mild.
What are the symptoms of whooping cough and how does the disease progress?
-The symptoms of whooping cough usually start out like cold symptoms, such as a runny nose, mild cough, and low-grade fever. After 1-2 weeks, the cough becomes more severe, leading to intense and rapid coughing fits that can last for several weeks. These coughing fits can be so severe that they can lead to vomiting, exhaustion, and difficulty breathing.
How is whooping cough transmitted and who is most at risk?
-Whooping cough is transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is highly contagious, especially in the early stages of the disease. Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to severe complications from whooping cough, including pneumonia, seizures, and even death.
How is the diagnosis of whooping cough made and what is the most reliable method?
– A thorough medical history is important for the diagnosis of whooping cough. Testing involves a nasopharyngeal swab or bronchial aspirate. The titers of IgM and IgG antibodies are determined. Testing for whooping cough can be done using a PCR test, which detects the genetic material of the bacterium. PCR testing is considered one of the most reliable methods for diagnosing whooping cough because it can detect the bacteria even in the early stages of the disease when symptoms may be mild. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for preventing the spread of the disease and reducing the risk of complications, especially in vulnerable populations such as infants and young children. Public education on the ongoing importance of testing, especially in the presence of new variants, is essential. PCR laboratories play a crucial role not only in detection but also in promoting public awareness and understanding.
We have been following the implementation of the „Stop Covid-19“ project through the „Hearts of Europe“ program, where the Rotary Foundation, USAID, and other partners supported the Global project of the Rotary Club Čačak, with the international partner Rotary Club Austin from Texas, and provided modern equipment for the establishment of a PCR Laboratory. The PCR Laboratory is part of the Public Health Institute and conducts testing for various viruses and bacteria, including the bacterium that causes whooping cough.
-That’s right. The doctors and staff of the Public Health Institute are professionally trained to work with modern equipment. The initial purpose of the PCR laboratory was to detect COVID-19 in the early stages, for independence in early diagnosis, prevention of virus spread, and saving lives. In addition to COVID-19, testing has now been expanded to include influenza viruses A and B, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), chlamydia, Human Papilloma Virus… PCR testing is certainly the most reliable method for early diagnosis of any virus or bacterium.
Thank you, dr Lazović, for shedding light on this important topic and emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis. We continue our discussion on whooping cough and now focus on prevention. Dr. Lazović, can you tell us about the importance of vaccination in preventing whooping cough?
– Vaccination is key in preventing whooping cough. The Pentaxim vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, haemophilus, and poliomyelitis, is routinely given to babies and young children as part of their vaccination schedule. It is also recommended for adolescents and adults, especially those in close contact with babies.
What other preventive measures can people take to protect themselves and others from whooping cough?
– In addition to vaccination, other preventive measures include avoiding close contact with infected individuals, practicing good hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing, and covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets.
How can pregnant women protect themselves and their newborns from whooping cough?
-Pregnant women can protect themselves and their newborns by receiving the appropriate vaccine during each pregnancy, preferably between 27 and 36 weeks, with mandatory consultation with their chosen doctor. This helps protect newborns from whooping cough in the first months of life when they are most vulnerable.
Thank you, dr Lazović, for highlighting the importance of vaccination and other preventive measures in protecting against whooping cough. It is clear that by taking these steps, individuals can help reduce the risk of complications associated with this disease and protect vulnerable populations such as infants and young children.
“This article is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Rotary Club Cacak, Serbia and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.”
