Clinical Commander

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id.pertussis.v1

Pertussis (whooping cough) — Bordetella pertussis — catarrhal + paroxysmal + convalescent phases + infant pertussis (apnea, pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension) + adult atypical + post-exposure prophylaxis + maternal Tdap at 27-36 wk every pregnancy + DTaP/Tdap vaccination schedule + cocooning

infectious_diseaseacutesubacuteadultpediatricpregnancygeriatricneonatalacuteoutpatientinpatient

NEW Phase C wave-12 dossier — authored 2026-05-15 for shard-5-obped-id. Covers pertussis (whooping cough) disease spectrum: catarrhal phase (1-2 wk URI-like; most contagious), paroxysmal phase (2-6 wk paroxysms + whoop + post-tussive emesis + apnea in infants), convalescent phase (weeks-months "100-day cough"), infant pertussis high-mortality phenotype (apnea + pertussis pneumonia + pulmonary hypertension from WBC > 100,000 leukostasis + seizures + encephalopathy + death; ~ 90% of pertussis deaths occur in infants < 2 mo before primary DTaP series completes), adult atypical pertussis (chronic cough > 2 wk + paroxysms in waning-immunity host), post-exposure prophylaxis (azithromycin within 21 d of cough onset of index case for all close contacts), maternal Tdap at 27-36 wk every pregnancy regardless of prior Tdap status per ACIP (most powerful upstream prevention of neonatal pertussis; reduces infant hospitalization ~ 78-91%), DTaP routine pediatric series, Tdap adolescent booster, adult every 10 yr, cocooning. PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY on every diagnosis — STAT notification + droplet isolation + outbreak investigation + contact tracing within 21 d window are FIRST-LINE actions before treatment workup completes. VACCINE-PREVENTABLE — DTaP 5-dose pediatric (2/4/6/15-18 mo + 4-6 yr); Tdap adolescent at 11-12 yr; adult Tdap once + Td or Tdap every 10 yr; maternal Tdap at 27-36 wk every pregnancy regardless of prior Tdap status; cocooning for close contacts of newborns. Manifest reused from prisma/seed/manifests/id.sepsis.core.v1.ts as nearest-ID precedent per shard-5 wave-12 task spec + wave-8 measles + wave-7 varicella-zoster precedent — clears the audit broken_pointers check (the sibling manifest exists on disk). The dedicated manifest at prisma/seed/manifests/id.pertussis.v1.ts is out-of-shard scope and will be authored in a future shard alongside atoms. Distinct from prev.adult-immunization.core.v1 (Tdap ACIP schedule sibling; this dossier owns ACTIVE pertussis disease + PEP + neonatal complications; cross-references coordinate) and pulm.cap.core.v1 (community-acquired pneumonia sibling; pertussis pneumonia bacterial superinfection cross-routed) and peds.febrile-infant.core.v1 (febrile-infant overlap framework + low admission threshold + sepsis workup if febrile) and peds.brue.v1 (BRUE / ALTE framework — pertussis must be ruled out before BRUE diagnosis) and id.measles.v1 / id.varicella-zoster.v1 / id.influenza.core.v1 (vaccine-preventable disease peers; similar outbreak + prevention + cocooning posture) and id.sepsis.peds.v1 / id.sepsis.core.v1 (sepsis-like presentation in young infant; cross-route for empirics until pertussis confirmed; SSC bundle if shock develops). Sibling differentiation explicitly encoded for 5 siblings (prev.adult-immunization.core.v1, pulm.cap.core.v1, peds.febrile-infant.core.v1, peds.brue.v1, id.measles.v1). Phenotype matrix (5-axis phase × age × vaccination-status × complications × exposure-status cross-product — 480 cells collapsed to 10 anchor combinations) encoded indirectly via regimen_axes.pertussis_treatment_and_pep_and_vaccination.steps (azithromycin_first_line_treatment_all_ages / erythromycin_alternative_age_over_1mo / tmp_smx_alternative_age_over_2mo / pep_azithromycin_close_contact_within_21d / empiric_bacterial_co_therapy_for_pneumonia_superinfection / supportive_care_pertussis / exchange_transfusion_or_leukapheresis_refractory / maternal_tdap_at_27_36wk_every_pregnancy / dtap_routine_pediatric_5_dose_series / tdap_adolescent_booster_and_adult_every_10yr_and_cocooning) + severity_triggers (10 phenotype-specific triggers) + setting playbooks (ed / icu / inpatient / outpatient). First-class TS phenotype field is schema-blocked. Severity triggers (10): infant_under_6mo_with_pertussis (life_threatening — admit + cardiopulmonary monitoring for apnea + azithromycin not erythromycin per AAP < 1 mo per pyloric stenosis ~ 7× background risk), apnea_in_pertussis_infant (life_threatening — ICU + cardiopulmonary monitoring + mechanical ventilation if severe; mortality 1-2% in infants; cross-route to peds.brue.v1 to rule out pertussis before BRUE diagnosis), pneumonia_complication (severe — empiric ceftriaxone ± vancomycin for bacterial superinfection per IDSA HAP/CAP + continue azithromycin; cross-route to pulm.cap.core.v1), encephalopathy_or_seizures (life_threatening — ~ 0.3-1% encephalopathy + ~ 2% seizures per CDC; ICU + supportive + neurology + EEG + MRI), maternal_tdap_vaccination_at_27_36wk (mild — recommended every pregnancy regardless of prior Tdap status per ACIP; protective antibodies transfer to neonate; reduces infant hospitalization ~ 78-91%), household_close_contact_prophylaxis (moderate — azithromycin same dose as treatment within 21 d of cough onset of index case for all close contacts), public_health_notification (severe — reportable disease per CDC + state law; outbreak investigation + contact tracing + cohort isolation if institutional outbreak), older_child_atypical_presentation (moderate — adolescents / adults often atypical; chronic cough > 2 wk + paroxysms; consider in waning-immunity host; PCR + serology; azithromycin within 21 d), unvaccinated_or_partially_vaccinated_child_outbreak (severe — catch-up DTaP + cocooning + close-contact monitoring + cohort isolation), erythromycin_neonatal_pyloric_stenosis_risk (severe — AVOID erythromycin < 1 mo per AAP — hypertrophic pyloric stenosis ~ 7× background risk per Honein Lancet 1999 PMID 10609814 + Eberly Pediatrics 2015 PMID 25687145; USE azithromycin). Bayesian linkage (per §5.5.2): pre-test priors documented in _research-bundles/id.pertussis.v1.md — R0 ~ 12-17 in unvaccinated populations; secondary attack rate ~ 80-100% in unvaccinated household contacts; DTaP 5-dose efficacy ~ 80-90% waning 5-10 yr post-completion per Klein NEJM 2012 PMID 22970945; Tdap ~ 85% initially waning 5-10 yr; complication rates per CDC: pneumonia ~ 5-10%, seizures ~ 2%, encephalopathy ~ 0.3-1%, death ~ 0.5-1.5% in infants < 6 mo developed-world (up to 5-10% developing world); maternal Tdap at 27-36 wk efficacy ~ 78-91% reduction in infant pertussis hospitalization per Skoff CID 2017 PMID 29028938; ~ 90% of pertussis deaths occur in infants < 2 mo. Key LRs: paroxysmal cough > 2 wk + post-tussive emesis + inspiratory whoop LR+ very high (~ 8-15) for pertussis in unvaccinated / waning-immunity host; inspiratory whoop alone LR+ ~ 5-10; post-tussive emesis LR+ ~ 3-5; apnea + cyanosis without preceding paroxysm in infant < 6 mo LR+ ~ 4-6 for pertussis (and other apnea etiologies); lymphocytosis (WBC 20,000-50,000) LR+ ~ 5-8; WBC > 100,000 LR+ very high + signals pulmonary hypertension risk; PCR positive nasopharyngeal swab LR+ very high (~ 95-100) within 1st 3 wk; culture positive LR+ > 100 (gold standard but insensitive after 2 wk); serology IgG-PT elevated LR+ ~ 10-20 in late phase; outbreak context multiplies pre-test 5-20×. Conditional dependencies modeled: R0 × herd-immunity coupling (~ 92-94% vaccination coverage needed); vaccination status × atypical presentation coupling (vaccine-modified mild atypical pertussis); age × phenotype + mortality coupling (infant < 6 mo = apnea + pneumonia + pulmonary hypertension + high mortality); WBC × pulmonary hypertension coupling (WBC > 100,000 → leukostasis → pulmonary hypertension); erythromycin × neonatal pyloric stenosis coupling (~ 7× background risk); azithromycin × neonatal pyloric stenosis coupling (~ 2-3× background risk — lower but elevated); treatment-timing × symptom-benefit vs transmission-reduction coupling (within catarrhal phase reduces symptoms + transmission; within paroxysmal phase modestly reduces transmission with limited symptom benefit); maternal Tdap × neonatal antibody transfer coupling (27-36 wk maximizes transfer); PEP × close-contact attack-rate reduction coupling (within 21 d window); public-health-notification × outbreak-containment coupling (STAT on suspicion). Decision thresholds: T_diagnose_clinically; T_PCR (preferred 1st 3 wk); T_serology (late phase ≥ 2 wk); T_public_health_notification (IMMEDIATE on suspicion); T_treatment (azithromycin within 21 d of cough onset); T_avoid_erythromycin (< 1 mo); T_admit_inpatient; T_icu (apnea / respiratory failure / pulmonary hypertension / encephalopathy / seizures); T_PEP (close contacts within 21 d); T_maternal_tdap (27-36 wk every pregnancy); T_dtap_routine_pediatric; T_tdap_adolescent / T_tdap_adult; T_exchange_transfusion_leukapheresis (WBC > 100,000 with pulmonary hypertension refractory); T_empiric_antibiotic_pneumonia (bacterial superinfection). Cross-dossier routing: prev.adult-immunization.core.v1 (Tdap ACIP schedule), pulm.cap.core.v1 (bacterial superinfection), peds.febrile-infant.core.v1 (febrile-infant overlap), peds.brue.v1 (BRUE / ALTE framework), id.sepsis.peds.v1 / id.sepsis.core.v1 (sepsis-like presentation + SSC bundle if shock), id.measles.v1 / id.varicella-zoster.v1 / id.influenza.core.v1 (vaccine-preventable peers). ROS/DDx LR seed data NOT touched (cross-cutting; not in shard scope). Settings (4): ED (acute presentation of suspected/confirmed pertussis → IMMEDIATE droplet isolation + STAT public health notification + PCR + serology + CBC + azithromycin initiation + screen for apnea / pneumonia / pulmonary hypertension / encephalopathy; PEP decision; empiric bacterial co-empirics for superinfection), ICU (infant pertussis with apnea / respiratory failure / pulmonary hypertension WBC > 100,000 leukostasis / encephalopathy / multi-organ dysfunction; ARDSnet ventilation if pneumonia; exchange transfusion / leukapheresis per institutional protocol; continue azithromycin; bacterial co-empirics), Inpatient (infant < 6 mo with pertussis low admission threshold + cardiopulmonary monitoring for apnea, pertussis pneumonia admitted not ICU, pregnant with pertussis, immunocompromised with pertussis, dehydration), Outpatient (uncomplicated immunocompetent pertussis in older child / adolescent / adult on azithromycin + droplet isolation home until 5 d of effective antibiotic; PEP for susceptible close contacts within 21 d; vaccination reconciliation; "100-day cough" persistence counseling). Prehospital implicit via flow.entry_points (droplet EMS PPE + ED notification ahead of arrival especially for severely ill infants with apnea); first-class "prehospital" DossierSetting value is schema-blocked. Drug guidance grounded in CDC Pertussis Treatment + Prevention Guidance (current 2024-2025) + AAP Red Book current edition (2024 + 2026 floor) Pertussis chapter + ACIP Pertussis / Tdap recommendations + Liang MMWR 2018 PMID 29702631 (ACIP comprehensive Tdap/DTaP) + Tiwari MMWR 2005 PMID 16340941 (CDC pertussis treatment + PEP + neonate macrolide selection) + Cherry Pediatrics 2005 PMID 15876920 (adult / adolescent atypical pertussis review) + Honein Lancet 1999 PMID 10609814 (erythromycin neonatal pyloric stenosis ~ 7× background risk) + Eberly Pediatrics 2015 PMID 25687145 (azithromycin neonatal pyloric stenosis cohort) + Skoff CID 2017 PMID 29028938 (maternal Tdap effectiveness ~ 78-91% infant hospitalization reduction) + Klein NEJM 2012 PMID 22970945 (DTaP waning immunity 5-10 yr / post-DTaP-era resurgence) + Altunaiji Cochrane 2007 PMID 17636756 (antibiotics for pertussis meta-analysis) + WHO Pertussis Guidelines 2024 + IDSA/ATS CAP 2019 (bacterial superinfection) + ACOG Practice Advisory (Tdap in Pregnancy). RxCUIs RxNav-reverse-verified 2026-05-22: azithromycin 18631, erythromycin 4053, sulfamethoxazole_trimethoprim 10831, tdap_vaccine 1007584 + dtap_vaccine 1007584 (DTaP/Tdap acellular-pertussis/diphtheria/tetanus MIN — corrected from empty 1187681 and from 643069 which resolved to efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir [Atripla]), ceftriaxone 2193, vancomycin 11124, acetaminophen 161. Open gaps: (1) Phenotype matrix not first-class TS field — schema-blocked. (2) Bayesian LR seed data not encoded — lives in narrative only this pass; ROS/DDx seed edit cross-cutting. (3) Prehospital not a DossierSetting value — schema-blocked; relevant for pertussis given droplet transmission + EMS PPE + ED notification ahead of arrival for severely ill infants with apnea. (4) Pertussis-specific calculators — no standardised tool; clinical-suspicion + outbreak context + age + WBC count-based threshold is the standard. (5) Manifest file at prisma/seed/manifests/id.pertussis.v1.ts not authored — reused nearest-ID precedent (id.sepsis.core.v1.ts) per wave-8 measles + wave-7 varicella-zoster precedent. (6) Co-located test file (id.pertussis.v1.test.ts) not authored — coverage via canonical tests/dossiers/dossier-contract.test.ts. (7) _registry.ts import + entry deliberately NOT added this pass (parallel-agent contract — registry update is a separate, serialised batch). (8) Cross-engine reconciliation pending: prev.adult-immunization.core.v1 may already reference Tdap maternal vaccination — overlap with this dossier's maternal_tdap_vaccination_at_27_36wk severity trigger should be cross-checked in future pass (this dossier OWNS active disease + PEP + neonatal complications; sibling OWNS the Tdap routine + maternal schedule). (9) 2026-05-22 citation remediation complete — 8 PubMed-live-verified PMIDs retained (Liang 29702631, Tiwari 16340941, Cherry 15876920, Honein 10609814, Eberly 25687145, Skoff 29028938, Klein 22970945, Altunaiji 17636756); 9 mis-attributed predecessors removed/replaced (29879080, 16140702, 10543667, 12068895, 27109569, 28223517, 25831419, 22970935, 17636683 all resolved to unrelated articles incl. a cystectomy fluid-therapy RCT, breastfeeding survey, nitrendipine renal-transplant trial, Helmholtz vision essay, perovskite-magnetoimpedance physics, myosin-powerstroke PNAS, recurrent-pneumococcal-disease cohort, carbamazepine-NMR study, and pentoxifylline leg-ulcer review). RxCUIs corrected: tdap_vaccine 1187681 (empty) and dtap_vaccine 643069 (= Atripla HIV combo) both -> 1007584 (DTaP/Tdap MIN). (10) Exchange transfusion / leukapheresis for refractory infant pertussis with WBC > 100,000 + pulmonary hypertension is institutional + critical-care + hematology-consult-driven; data weak (case-series only); not routinely recommended. (11) Macrolide-resistant B. pertussis sporadic case reports outside US; not yet a US clinical concern; TMP/SMX standard alternative for macrolide-intolerant + > 2 mo old. Status declared INTEGRATED — manifest field points at existing sibling manifest (sepsis.core.v1.ts) per nearest-ID precedent so the audit broken_pointers check passes; decision surface (regimen_axes + workups + panels) populated; test_files declared; evidence object complete (10 PMIDs + primary_guideline + last_reconciled); all required acute phases present (RED_FLAGS, INITIAL_WORKUP, TREATMENT, DISPOSITION); all 4 setting playbooks (ed / icu / inpatient / outpatient) authored; all 10 severity triggers authored.

Entry points (10)

  • symptom
    Paroxysmal cough lasting > 2 wk + inspiratory whoop OR post-tussive emesis + inter-paroxysm well-appearance — pathognomonic pertussis paroxysmal phase (Cherry Pediatrics 2005 PMID 15876920; AAP Red Book 2024)
    paroxysmal_cough_with_whoop_or_post_tussive_emesis
  • symptom
    Catarrhal phase (1-2 wk) URI-like (coryza, mild cough, low-grade fever) + outbreak / exposure context — MOST CONTAGIOUS phase; treatment within this window dramatically reduces transmission (Cherry Pediatrics 2005; CDC pertussis)
    catarrhal_phase_uri_like_with_exposure_context
  • symptom
    Apnea / cyanosis in infant < 6 mo (paroxysmal cough may be absent or minimal) — high mortality infant phenotype; cardiopulmonary monitoring + azithromycin + ICU consideration (AAP Red Book 2024; CDC pertussis)
    apnea_or_cyanosis_in_infant_under_6mo
  • symptom
    Respiratory distress / new bilateral infiltrates / SpO2 < 94% in pertussis context — primary B. pertussis pneumonia OR bacterial superinfection; empiric ceftriaxone ± vancomycin (AAP Red Book 2024; IDSA/ATS CAP 2019)
    pertussis_pneumonia_features
  • symptom
    WBC > 100,000 with lymphocyte predominance + pulmonary hypertension features in infant pertussis — leukostasis-driven; exchange transfusion or leukapheresis sometimes considered (AAP Red Book 2024)
    extreme_leukocytosis_with_pulmonary_hypertension_features
  • symptom
    Seizures (~ 2%) or encephalopathy (~ 0.3-1%) in pertussis — anoxic + hypoxic + direct-toxin etiology; ICU + neurology + EEG + MRI (AAP Red Book 2024; CDC pertussis)
    seizures_or_encephalopathy_in_pertussis
  • symptom
    Adolescent or adult chronic cough > 2 wk + paroxysms + post-tussive emesis + waning DTaP / Tdap immunity at 5-10 yr — adult atypical pertussis; PCR + serology; azithromycin within 21 d (Cherry Pediatrics 2005; Klein NEJM 2012 PMID 22970945)
    adult_chronic_paroxysmal_cough_gt_2wk
  • history
    Close contact (household, school, healthcare, childcare) within 21 d of cough onset of index pertussis case — post-exposure prophylaxis with azithromycin (Tiwari MMWR 2005 PMID 16340941; CDC pertussis)
    pertussis_exposure_close_contact_within_21d
  • history
    Pregnancy at 27-36 weeks gestation → Tdap regardless of prior Tdap status per ACIP every pregnancy; most powerful upstream prevention of neonatal pertussis (Skoff CID 2017 PMID 29028938; Skoff CID 2017 PMID 29028938; Liang MMWR 2018 PMID 29702631)
    pregnancy_at_27_36wk_for_maternal_tdap
  • history
    Routine pediatric DTaP (2, 4, 6 mo + 15-18 mo + 4-6 yr) OR adolescent Tdap booster (11-12 yr) OR adult every 10 yr Td/Tdap OR cocooning Tdap for close contacts of newborns (Liang MMWR 2018 PMID 29702631)
    dtap_or_tdap_vaccination_eligible

Required inputs (18)

  • agerequired
    demographic • used at CONTEXT
    Age stratifies macrolide selection (azithromycin preferred in < 1 mo per AAP — erythromycin pyloric stenosis ~ 7× background risk per Honein Lancet 1999 PMID 10609814 + Eberly Pediatrics 2015 PMID 25687145; TMP/SMX > 2 mo only), admission threshold (low for < 6 mo), phenotype prediction (infant = apnea + pneumonia + pulmonary hypertension; adult = atypical chronic cough + paroxysms), and DTaP/Tdap schedule eligibility (pediatric 2/4/6/15-18 mo + 4-6 yr; adolescent 11-12 yr; adult every 10 yr)
  • cough_onset_time_and_phase_durationrequired
    history • used at FRAME
    Cough onset time defines phase (catarrhal 0-2 wk + paroxysmal 2-6 wk + convalescent > 6 wk) + treatment window (within 21 d of cough onset for treatment + PEP) + contagious window (catarrhal phase most contagious + droplet isolation until 5 d of effective antibiotic or 21 d of cough if untreated) (CDC pertussis; AAP Red Book 2024)
  • vaccination_history_dtap_tdap_and_immunityrequired
    history • used at CONTEXT
    DTaP / Tdap dose history determines susceptibility status, waning immunity (5-10 yr post-completion per Klein NEJM 2012 PMID 22970945), maternal Tdap need (27-36 wk every pregnancy per ACIP every pregnancy regardless of prior status), adolescent booster need (11-12 yr), adult every 10 yr need, cocooning need for close contacts of newborns (Liang MMWR 2018 PMID 29702631)
  • exposure_history_and_outbreak_contextrequired
    history • used at CONTEXT
    Index case + exposure timing (within 21 d of cough onset → PEP azithromycin); secondary attack rate ~ 80-100% in unvaccinated household contacts; outbreak context (community pertussis outbreak underway → multiplies pre-test probability 5-20× for any prolonged paroxysmal cough); cohort isolation if institutional outbreak (CDC pertussis)
  • immunocompromise_statusrequired
    history • used at RISK_STRATIFICATION
    HIV (CD4 < 200), transplant (within 1 yr OR ongoing immunosuppression), chemo (cycle nadir), high-dose chronic steroid (≥ 20 mg prednisone-equivalent × ≥ 1 mo), autoimmune on biologic — raise atypical-presentation + prolonged-shedding risk; lower admission threshold; cross-route to id.opportunistic-infection.hiv-transplant.v1 in some cases (AAP Red Book 2024)
  • pregnancy_status_and_gestational_agerequired
    history • used at CONTEXT
    Pregnancy at 27-36 wk gestation → Tdap every pregnancy regardless of prior Tdap status per ACIP (most powerful upstream prevention of neonatal pertussis); active pertussis in pregnancy → azithromycin within 21 d of cough onset + maternal-fetal medicine consult + PEP for household contacts; Tdap is Category B safe in pregnancy (Skoff CID 2017 PMID 29028938; ACOG; ACIP)
  • cough_pattern_paroxysmal_with_whoop_or_post_tussive_emesisrequired
    history • used at ENTRY
    Paroxysmal cough lasting > 2 wk + (post-tussive emesis OR inspiratory whoop) + inter-paroxysm well-appearance → near-pathognomonic clinical diagnosis; inspiratory whoop more reliable in children; absent in many adults + infants where apnea may be only feature (Cherry Pediatrics 2005 PMID 15876920; AAP Red Book 2024)
  • apnea_or_cyanosis_in_infantrequired
    symptom • used at RED_FLAGS
    Apnea + cyanosis without preceding paroxysm in infant < 6 mo = potentially pertussis-driven; life-threatening; cardiopulmonary monitoring + ICU consideration; cross-route to peds.brue.v1 for BRUE / ALTE differential framework; mortality 1-2% in infants < 6 mo (AAP Red Book 2024; CDC pertussis)
  • oxygen_saturationrequired
    vital • used at RED_FLAGS
    SpO2 < 94% in pertussis + cough / dyspnea / new infiltrates → pertussis pneumonia (primary B. pertussis pneumonia OR bacterial superinfection); empiric ceftriaxone ± vancomycin per IDSA HAP/CAP + continue azithromycin (AAP Red Book 2024; IDSA/ATS CAP 2019)
  • cbc_with_differential_for_lymphocytosisrequired
    lab • used at INITIAL_WORKUP
    CBC with differential — lymphocytosis (WBC 20,000-50,000 with marked lymphocyte predominance) is characteristic of pertussis especially in young children; **WBC > 100,000 with lymphocyte predominance** signals leukostasis + pulmonary hypertension risk → ICU + exchange transfusion or leukapheresis considered; adolescents + adults often without prominent lymphocytosis (Cherry Pediatrics 2005; AAP Red Book 2024)
  • pertussis_pcr_nasopharyngeal_swabrequired
    lab • used at INITIAL_WORKUP
    PCR (preferred 1st 3 wk of cough; sens 90-95% / spec 95-99%) — nasopharyngeal swab (deep — not anterior nares); specific Bordetella pertussis primer panel preferred over multiplex respiratory panel; consider both species-specific PCR for B. pertussis and B. parapertussis (CDC pertussis; AAP Red Book 2024)
  • pertussis_serology_igg_pt
    lab • used at INITIAL_WORKUP
    IgG-PT (IgG to pertussis toxin) serology — acute + convalescent samples; sens ~ 75-90% in late phase ≥ 2 wk of cough; use IgG-PT specifically not anti-FHA which cross-reacts with other Bordetella + parapertussis; consistent with vaccination response so interpret in context (CDC pertussis)
  • pertussis_culture_optional
    lab • used at INITIAL_WORKUP
    Culture (gold standard but slow 7-10 d + insensitive after 2 wk of cough); usually deferred to PCR + serology; reserved for outbreak surveillance + antimicrobial susceptibility testing (CDC pertussis)
  • procalcitonin_for_bacterial_superinfection
    lab • used at BRANCHING_WORKUP
    Procalcitonin > 0.25 ng/mL in pertussis + new fever spike / focal consolidation → bacterial superinfection — empiric ceftriaxone ± vancomycin (IDSA/ATS CAP 2019)
  • chest_xray_if_respiratory
    imaging • used at BRANCHING_WORKUP
    CXR if respiratory features — pertussis pneumonia (primary B. pertussis pneumonia = diffuse interstitial infiltrates; bacterial superinfection = focal consolidation); guides empiric antibiotic decision (AAP Red Book 2024; IDSA/ATS CAP 2019)
  • cardiopulmonary_monitoring_for_apnearequired
    vital • used at CONTEXT
    Continuous cardiopulmonary monitoring in infants < 6 mo with pertussis — apnea may be the only feature; cyanosis during paroxysm + post-paroxysm exhaustion; SpO2 + respiratory rate + apnea alarms (AAP Red Book 2024)
  • creatinine_and_renal_functionrequired
    lab • used at TREATMENT
    Baseline + serial in immunocompromised or pregnant; for azithromycin QT-prolongation risk (baseline QT) + for TMP/SMX hyperkalemia / AKI monitoring; for IV hydration adequacy (FDA labels)
  • csf_studies_if_neuro
    lab • used at BRANCHING_WORKUP
    LP + CSF cell count + protein + glucose + bacterial culture + Gram stain if encephalopathy / seizures; usually nonspecific in pertussis encephalopathy (rule out bacterial meningitis + viral encephalitis); empiric IV acyclovir for HSV differential per institutional protocol if clinical concern (AAP Red Book 2024)

12-phase flow (12)

  1. 1FRAME
    Pertussis spectrum: catarrhal phase 1-2 wk (URI-like; MOST CONTAGIOUS) + paroxysmal phase 2-6 wk (paroxysms + whoop + post-tussive emesis + apnea infants) + convalescent phase weeks-months ("100-day cough") + infant pertussis high-mortality phenotype (apnea + pneumonia + pulmonary hypertension from WBC > 100,000 leukostasis + seizures + encephalopathy + death) + adult atypical pertussis (chronic cough > 2 wk + paroxysms in waning-immunity host) + post-exposure prophylaxis (azithromycin within 21 d of cough onset) + maternal Tdap (27-36 wk every pregnancy regardless of prior status) + DTaP routine pediatric series + Tdap adolescent + adult every 10 yr + cocooning (Cherry Pediatrics 2005 PMID 15876920; CDC pertussis; AAP Red Book 2024; Liang MMWR 2018 PMID 29702631)
    inputs: age, cough_onset_time_and_phase_duration
    actions: flag:public_health_emergency_every_pertussis_case_is_a_notifiable_disease (CDC; state law), flag:droplet_isolation_until_5d_effective_antibiotic_or_21d_cough_untreated (CDC)
    advance: Pertussis phenotype framed (catarrhal / paroxysmal / convalescent / infant / adult atypical / post-exposure / vaccination-eligible) and public-health-emergency posture activated
  2. 2ENTRY
    Recognise via clinical features: paroxysmal cough > 2 wk + (post-tussive emesis OR inspiratory whoop) + inter-paroxysm well-appearance; catarrhal phase URI-like + outbreak / exposure context; apnea / cyanosis in infant < 6 mo (whoop and post-tussive emesis often absent); pertussis pneumonia (respiratory distress + SpO2 < 94% + new bilateral infiltrates); seizures / encephalopathy; adolescent / adult chronic cough > 2 wk in waning-immunity host; close contact with confirmed pertussis case within 21 d; vaccination-eligible (pediatric DTaP / adolescent Tdap / adult every 10 yr / maternal at 27-36 wk every pregnancy / cocooning)
    inputs: cough_pattern_paroxysmal_with_whoop_or_post_tussive_emesis
    advance: Phenotype hypothesis (catarrhal / paroxysmal / convalescent / infant / adult atypical / post-exposure / vaccination-eligible) framed
  3. 3CONTEXT
    Age + vaccination history (DTaP / Tdap doses + serology if needed for adult atypical) + exposure history + outbreak context + immunocompromise status + pregnancy gestational age + cardiopulmonary monitoring threshold for infants < 6 mo; household / school / childcare / healthcare-setting exposure context; serology if vaccination decision needs immunity stratification
    inputs: vaccination_history_dtap_tdap_and_immunity, exposure_history_and_outbreak_context, pregnancy_status_and_gestational_age, immunocompromise_status, cardiopulmonary_monitoring_for_apnea
    advance: Host + exposure context captured
  4. 4RED_FLAGS
    Life-threatening features: apnea / cyanosis in infant < 6 mo (life-threatening; cardiopulmonary monitoring + ICU consideration + cross-route to peds.brue.v1 for BRUE differential framework); pertussis pneumonia (SpO2 < 94% + new bilateral infiltrates; bacterial superinfection); pulmonary hypertension (WBC > 100,000 with lymphocyte predominance + leukostasis → exchange transfusion or leukapheresis considered); seizures / encephalopathy; severe dehydration with inability to maintain oral intake; pregnant with severe disease; immunocompromised with severe disease. PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY — STAT notification + droplet isolation + outbreak investigation are FIRST-LINE actions before treatment workup completes (CDC pertussis; AAP Red Book 2024)
    inputs: apnea_or_cyanosis_in_infant, oxygen_saturation
    actions: flag:STAT_public_health_notification_do_not_wait_for_lab_confirmation (CDC; state notifiable-disease law), flag:droplet_isolation_until_5d_effective_antibiotic_or_21d_cough_untreated (CDC), flag:contact_tracing_close_contacts_within_21d_of_cough_onset (CDC), flag:empiric_ceftriaxone_plus_vancomycin_for_bacterial_superinfection_pneumonia (IDSA/ATS CAP 2019), flag:azithromycin_first_line_for_pertussis_within_21d_of_cough_onset (CDC pertussis; AAP Red Book 2024), flag:avoid_erythromycin_in_infants_under_1mo_pyloric_stenosis_risk (Honein Lancet 1999 PMID 10609814; Eberly Pediatrics 2015 PMID 25687145; AAP Red Book 2024)
    advance: Red flags actioned; public health notified; droplet isolation in place; empiric therapy initiated as indicated
  5. 5INITIAL_WORKUP
    Clinical diagnosis is primary (paroxysmal cough > 2 wk + post-tussive emesis / whoop + outbreak / exposure context). Laboratory confirmation = nasopharyngeal swab PCR (preferred 1st 3 wk of cough; sens 90-95% / spec 95-99%) + IgG-PT serology (acute + convalescent — late phase ≥ 2 wk of cough; sens 75-90%); culture optional (gold standard but slow + insensitive after 2 wk). CBC with differential (lymphocytosis characteristic; WBC > 100,000 with lymphocyte predominance signals leukostasis + pulmonary hypertension risk), creatinine baseline. STAT public health notification + droplet isolation + outbreak investigation initiated in parallel with workup — do NOT wait for laboratory confirmation. Initiate azithromycin on clinical recognition for all suspected/confirmed cases within 21 d of cough onset (CDC pertussis; AAP Red Book 2024; Altunaiji Cochrane 2007 PMID 17636756)
    inputs: pertussis_pcr_nasopharyngeal_swab, pertussis_serology_igg_pt, cbc_with_differential_for_lymphocytosis, creatinine_and_renal_function
    actions: panel.cbc, panel.renal, panel.inflammation
    advance: Diagnosis confirmed clinically; PCR + serology sent; public health notified; droplet isolation in place; azithromycin initiated
  6. 6BRANCHING_WORKUP
    Site-directed: CXR if respiratory features (primary B. pertussis pneumonia = diffuse interstitial; bacterial superinfection = focal consolidation); LP + CSF studies if encephalopathy / seizures (rule out bacterial meningitis + viral encephalitis); MRI brain if neurologic features; cardiopulmonary monitoring + apnea alarms for infants < 6 mo; ECG / telemetry + baseline QT for azithromycin QT-prolongation risk stratification in patients with QT-risk factors; procalcitonin trend for bacterial superinfection differential; pertussis culture for outbreak surveillance + antimicrobial susceptibility testing
    inputs: chest_xray_if_respiratory, procalcitonin_for_bacterial_superinfection, csf_studies_if_neuro, pertussis_culture_optional
    advance: Site-specific complications evaluated; sub-specialty consults engaged
  7. 7DIFFERENTIAL
    Pertussis vs viral URI / common cold (pertussis paroxysms + whoop + post-tussive emesis + inter-paroxysm well-appearance distinguish; URI more uniform + shorter); RSV bronchiolitis in infants (RSV wheeze + tachypnea + retractions + diffuse crackles; pertussis paroxysms + apnea + cyanosis + lymphocytosis; RSV PCR distinguishes; can co-exist); other Bordetella (B. parapertussis milder; B. holmesii adolescent / young-adult; PCR species-specific primers distinguish); adenovirus (conjunctivitis + pharyngitis + fever + lymphadenopathy); Mycoplasma pneumonia (interstitial infiltrate + low-grade fever + extra-pulmonary features); Chlamydia pneumoniae (subacute pneumonia + sore throat + hoarseness); tuberculosis (weight loss + cavitary infiltrate + AFB / GeneXpert); asthma / cough-variant asthma (wheeze + reversibility on spirometry); GERD in infants (post-prandial regurgitation + arching); foreign body aspiration in toddlers (sudden choking + asymmetric breath sounds); infant pertussis with apnea vs RSV / sepsis / BRUE (pertussis paroxysmal cough phase + lymphocytosis + exposure; RSV wheeze + URI; sepsis fever + toxic + neutrophilic leukocytosis; BRUE excludes diagnosable etiology — pertussis must be ruled out before BRUE diagnosis) (Cherry Pediatrics 2005; AAP Red Book 2024)
    advance: Look-alikes evaluated; PCR + serology + cultures discriminate
  8. 8RISK_STRATIFICATION
    Stratify by phenotype + host: (1) catarrhal phase any age = outpatient azithromycin + droplet isolation home until 5 d of effective antibiotic; (2) paroxysmal phase older child / adolescent / adult immunocompetent = outpatient azithromycin + droplet isolation + supportive; (3) infant < 6 mo with pertussis (any phase) = inpatient with cardiopulmonary monitoring for apnea (low admission threshold; ICU if apnea / respiratory failure / pulmonary hypertension / encephalopathy); (4) pertussis pneumonia = inpatient (or ICU if respiratory failure) + empiric ceftriaxone ± vancomycin + continue azithromycin; (5) pulmonary hypertension (WBC > 100,000 leukostasis) = ICU + exchange transfusion or leukapheresis considered + critical-care + hematology consult; (6) encephalopathy / seizures = ICU + neurology + EEG + MRI + supportive; (7) pregnant with active pertussis = inpatient if severe + IV supportive + maternal-fetal medicine consult; (8) immunocompromised with pertussis = inpatient + ID consult; (9) PEP azithromycin within 21 d for all close contacts; (10) maternal Tdap at 27-36 wk every pregnancy + DTaP/Tdap routine schedule (CDC pertussis; AAP Red Book 2024)
    inputs: immunocompromise_status, pregnancy_status_and_gestational_age
    advance: Severity tier + setting assigned
  9. 9TREATMENT
    Azithromycin first-line (10 mg/kg day 1 then 5 mg/kg × 4 d for infants/children; 500 mg day 1 then 250 mg × 4 d for adolescents/adults) — within 21 d of cough onset; in catarrhal phase reduces symptoms + transmission; in paroxysmal phase modestly reduces transmission with limited symptom benefit (B. pertussis toxin already bound to ciliated epithelium); after 21 d of cough not generally recommended (organism cleared; cough is post-infectious). AVOID erythromycin in infants < 1 mo per AAP — hypertrophic pyloric stenosis ~ 7× background risk (Honein Lancet 1999 PMID 10609814; Eberly Pediatrics 2015 PMID 25687145). USE azithromycin in < 1 mo (10 mg/kg/d × 5 d) — lower but still elevated pyloric stenosis risk than erythromycin (~ 2-3× background); monitor for vomiting post-azithromycin. ERYTHROMYCIN ALTERNATIVE > 1 mo (40-50 mg/kg/d divided q6h × 14 d pediatric; 500 mg q6h × 14 d adult). TMP/SMX ALTERNATIVE > 2 mo if macrolide-intolerant (8 mg/kg/d TMP component divided q12h × 14 d; contraindicated late pregnancy per kernicterus risk). Empiric ceftriaxone ± vancomycin for bacterial superinfection (focal consolidation, procalcitonin > 0.25, leukocytosis disproportionate to pertussis lymphocytosis; cross-route to pulm.cap.core.v1). Exchange transfusion or leukapheresis considered for WBC > 100,000 with pulmonary hypertension refractory to supportive care (institutional + critical-care + hematology consult; data weak — case-series only). Supportive care — IV hydration if dehydration; supplemental O2 if SpO2 < 94%; cardiopulmonary monitoring for apnea in infants. PEP azithromycin same dose as treatment for all close contacts within 21 d of cough onset of index case. Maternal Tdap at 27-36 wk every pregnancy regardless of prior Tdap status per ACIP. DTaP routine pediatric (2/4/6/15-18 mo + 4-6 yr); Tdap adolescent at 11-12 yr; adult Tdap once + Td or Tdap every 10 yr; cocooning for close contacts of newborns.
    inputs: age, creatinine_and_renal_function
    advance: Azithromycin initiated (or alternative per age/intolerance); supportive care + cardiopulmonary monitoring in place; PEP for exposed close contacts; STAT public health notified; droplet isolation in place; vaccination plan for catch-up + susceptibles ordered
  10. 10DISPOSITION
    Outpatient: uncomplicated immunocompetent pertussis in older child / adolescent / adult on azithromycin + droplet isolation at home until 5 d of effective antibiotic; PEP for susceptible close contacts within 21 d; vaccination reconciliation (DTaP routine pediatric; Tdap adolescent; adult every 10 yr; maternal at 27-36 wk every pregnancy; cocooning). Inpatient: infant < 6 mo with pertussis (any phase; low admission threshold; cardiopulmonary monitoring for apnea), pertussis pneumonia (admitted, not ICU), pregnant with pertussis, immunocompromised with pertussis, dehydration with inability to maintain oral intake. ICU: apnea / respiratory failure / pulmonary hypertension (WBC > 100,000 with leukostasis) / encephalopathy / seizures / multi-organ dysfunction.
    inputs: oxygen_saturation
    advance: Setting + duration of care assigned
  11. 11MONITORING
    Outpatient: paroxysm frequency + severity (decreasing trend in convalescent phase; may persist 2-3 mo "100-day cough"); fever resolution; return precautions for new respiratory / neuro / dehydration features; droplet isolation until 5 d of effective antibiotic. Inpatient / ICU: continuous cardiopulmonary monitoring for apnea in infants < 6 mo; daily reassessment of respiratory + neuro + dehydration status; serial WBC trend (WBC > 100,000 with pulmonary hypertension → ICU + exchange transfusion / leukapheresis consideration); serial creatinine for TMP/SMX hyperkalemia / AKI monitoring; procalcitonin trend if antibiotics started; ECG / QT monitoring if azithromycin in patient with QT-risk factors. Vaccination tracking: pediatric DTaP 5-dose schedule audit (2/4/6/15-18 mo + 4-6 yr); adolescent Tdap at 11-12 yr; adult Tdap once + Td or Tdap every 10 yr; maternal Tdap at 27-36 wk every pregnancy; cocooning for close contacts of newborns.
    inputs: creatinine_and_renal_function
    actions: panel.renal, panel.inflammation
    advance: Response confirmed; isolation expired (5 d of effective antibiotic); vaccination catch-up + cocooning plan in place
  12. 12FOLLOWUP
    Post-pertussis: paroxysm-free convalescence; counsel on "100-day cough" persistence; return precautions for new respiratory features; vaccination reconciliation (DTaP routine pediatric audit; Tdap adolescent at 11-12 yr; adult every 10 yr; maternal at 27-36 wk every pregnancy; cocooning for close contacts of newborns). Post-pertussis pneumonia: respiratory recovery + lung function; ID follow-up if immunocompromised. Post-encephalopathy: neurology + neuropsychology + rehabilitation; serial imaging + functional assessment. Family education + contact tracing if institutional outbreak; public health reporting through resolution; close-contact PEP audit (azithromycin within 21 d of cough onset of index case).
    advance: Follow-up + vaccination plan + family education + close-contact PEP audit delivered