Pertussis (whooping cough) is classically treated with which class of antibiotics?

Pertussis (whooping cough) is classically treated with which class of antibiotics?

• A. Macrolides
• B. Tetracyclines
• C. Fluoroquinolones
• D. Aminoglycosides

Answer: (A)

Macrolide antibiotics are the treatment of choice for pertussis because they inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding the 50S ribosomal subunit, which helps reduce Bordetella pertussis replication and, importantly, lowers contagiousness when given to patients and their close contacts. They are most effective when started early, in the catarrhal or early paroxysmal stage, to shorten illness and prevent spread. Tetracyclines can treat pertussis but are avoided in young children and during pregnancy due to effects on teeth and bone; fluoroquinolones are generally avoided in children because of safety concerns; aminoglycosides have limited activity against Bordetella pertussis and are not standard therapy.

Macrolide antibiotics are the treatment of choice for pertussis because they inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding the 50S ribosomal subunit, which helps reduce Bordetella pertussis replication and, importantly, lowers contagiousness when given to patients and their close contacts. They are most effective when started early, in the catarrhal or early paroxysmal stage, to shorten illness and prevent spread. Tetracyclines can treat pertussis but are avoided in young children and during pregnancy due to effects on teeth and bone; fluoroquinolones are generally avoided in children because of safety concerns; aminoglycosides have limited activity against Bordetella pertussis and are not standard therapy.