What is it about?
This research concerns the relationship between pertussis (whooping cough) and measles as seen in historical medical reports from the 19th century and in a statistical analysis of their interrelationship at the state level in the United States. The analysis uses newly available public health reporting data on monthly case reports from 1938 to 1954. Both diseases use a common strategy for evading the immune system, which may explain their association.
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Why is it important?
As more people now resist vaccinating their children for measles and pertussis, the possible spread of both diseases in enhanced by their interaction.
Perspectives
This research is another example of how co-infections between apparently unrelated diseases can emerge.
Dr Stephen Coleman
retired
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The historical association between measles and pertussis: A case of immune suppression?, SAGE Open Medicine, October 2015, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/2050312115621315.
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