Bordetella pertussis


Bor·de·tel·la per·tus·'sis

the bacterial species that is the causative agent of whooping cough, a respiratory tract infection that in infants and young children may be life threatening; the severe cough, progressing to a paroxysmal form after 7-10 days, is associated with production of pertussis toxin, a protein consisting of 5 B. subunits that bind the molecule to respiratory epithelial cells, and an A subunit, an ADP-ribosyl-transferase that interferes with proteins associated with normal signal transduction; pathology is also associated with heavy secretion of mucus and hypoxia due to paroxysmal coughing and to blockage of air passages with mucus. Synonym(s): Bordet-Gengou bacillus

Bordetella pertussis

A small, aerobic, gram-negative bacillus, which classically causes whooping cough. B pertussis produces various toxins including a dermo-necrotising toxin, an adenyl cyclase, an endotoxin and pertussis toxin, as well as surface components such as fimbrial haemagglutinin.
Clinical findings
Runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, low-grade fever.
 
Diagnosis
Culture, serology.

Bordetella pertussis

Microbiology A small, aerobic, gram-negative bacillus, causative organism of whooping cough; B pertussis produces various toxins including a dermonecrotizing toxin, an adenyl cyclase, an endotoxin and pertussis toxin, as well as surface components such as fimbrial hemagglutinin Diagnosis Culture, serology, clinical Rx

Bor·de·tel·la per·tus·sis

(bōr-dĕ-tel'ă pĕr-tŭs'is) A bacterial species that causes whooping cough; it produces cell-destroying toxins and causes thick mucus to collect in the airway. The type species of the Bordetella genus.

Bor·de·tel·la per·tus·sis

(bōr-dĕ-tel'ă pĕr-tŭs'is) A bacterial species that causes whoo-ping cough.