EUPERT V

The fifth EUPERT study was launched in April, 2023. The study is prospective, aiming to collect both B. pertussis strains and a diary of the symptoms, hospitalisation etc. from the infected subjects. Following countries (N=13) are included in the ongoing study: Austria, Belgium, Czech republic, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Each country aims to collect 40 strains with clinical data.

Primary aims of the study

  1. Whether there is a continuous increase in PRN deficient isolates circulating in Europe
  2. Whether PRN deficient isolates are more often isolated from fully vaccinated individuals
  3. Whether the PRN deficient isolates are associated with increased severity of pertussis in infants (<12 months)

Secondary aims

  1. Whether PT and FHA deficient isolates appear/increase in Europe
  2. Expression of other antigens not included in current ACVs of B. pertussis isolates collected in EUpert V study
  3. Whether macrolide resistant isolates appear in Europe
  4. Any changes that may have occurred in the bacterial populations in Europe during the past 20 years

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Previous EUPERT I-IV studies have included a varied amount of participating countries. However, from EUPERT I to EUPERT V France, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden have participated throughout all studies.

Results from the previous studies have shown the adaptation of the bacteria to changing immunological environment, and the appearance of vaccine antigen deficient B. pertussis strains.