A novel study shows that pertactin deficient Bordetella pertussis strains have disappeared in Belgium

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bordetella pertussis strains deficient in pertactin (Prn) were increasing globally, particularly in countries using acellular pertussis vaccines. By 2017–2020, Prn-deficient B. pertussis strains constituted the majority of circulating isolates in Blegium. However, in the post-COVID-19 period, during the resurgence of pertussis, all tested circulating strains were found to produce Prn. This notable shift warrants further surveillance and investigation of circulating B. pertussis isolates in Belgium, and further among other European countries.

The paper can be found here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41910322/