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Bordetella (Pertussis)
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Bordetella (Pertussis)

Bordetella
Causes pertussis, aka, whooping cough.
Childhood vaccine DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis) and "booster" vaccines prevent pertussis.
Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis; Bordetella pertussis causes the more severe form of illnesss.
Pertussis is most severe in infants, in whom it can lead to respiratory failure.
Cases of adolescent and adult pertussis are on the rise; these populations are reservoirs for the bacteria.
Stages of Pertussis
– 7-10-day incubation period – Catarrhal stage: 1-2 weeks of symptoms that resemble the common cold. – Paroxysmal stage: 1-10 weeks of forceful coughing fits followed by inspiratory gasps – the "whooping" sound. Post-tussive vomiting is common. – Convalescence stage: Coughing is reduced, but serious complications may occur. Pertussis is associated with the development of pneumonia, seizures, apnea, and encephalopathy.
Virulence factors of Bordetella pertussis
Facilitate invasion and destruction of the respiratory tract.
Adhesins, including filamentous hemagglutinin and fimbriae.
Adenylate cyclase toxin blocks phagocytosis and prevents T-cell activation.
Dermonecrotic toxin forms necrotic lesions in the tissues.
Tracheal cytotoxin destroys ciliated cells of the respiratory tract.
Pertussis toxin increases cyclic AMP, promotes leukocytosis, and suppresses the host immune response – Secreted via Type IV secretion systems.

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