Bordetella pertussis is a Gram-negative, aerobic, pathogenic, encapsulated coccobacillus of the genus Bordetella, and the causative agent of pertussis or whooping cough. Like B. bronchiseptica, B. pertussis is motile and expresses a flagellum-like structure. How do you get Bordetella pertussis? Whooping cough is caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, tiny germ-laden droplets are sprayed into the air and breathed into the lungs of anyone who happens to be nearby. Is Bordetella pertussis airborne? B. pertussis is transmitted mainly by airborne droplets from the respiratory mucous membranes of infected individuals.

1. Whooping cough (pertusis)
introduction
 Whooping cough(pertusis) is a contagious disease. It is characterized by cough
that sounds like ‘whoop’, hence the name, whooping cough. The sound occurs due to
strained vocal cords. It is a life-threatening infection in the infants (less than 1 year).
 Pertussis (whooping cough) is a respiratory tract infection characterized by a
paroxysmal cough. The most common causative organism is Bordetella
pertussis though Bordetella parapertussis has also been associated with this
condition in humans.

2. Causative agents
 Whooping cough is caused by the bacteria Bordetella
pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis. Which are Gram –ve
bacteria.
 These bacteria invade the cilia lining the upper respiratory tract
and release toxins that impair the function of cilia.

3. Mode of Transmission
It spreads from one person to another through:
 Respiratory droplets(coughing,sneezing,saliva etc)
 Airborne transmission
 Close contact

4. Clinical features
Whooping cough can be divided into three stages based on the progression of
the disease.
• Catarrhal Stage: It is the early stage that may last for 1 to 2 weeks. The
bacteria inflame the mucus membrane. At this stage, the patients are
highly contagious.
• Paroxysmal Stage: The disease is intensified and the patients become
severely ill in this stage. This stage may last from 2 to 6 weeks.
• Convalescent Stage: It is the recovery phase and patients are no longer
contagious. This stage may last from several weeks to months.

5. contd.
Symptoms may develop depending upon the stage of the
disease.
Stage 1 – Catarrhal phase
• Nasal congestion
• Rhinorrhea
• Sneezing
• Low-grade fever
• Tearing
• Conjunctival suffusion
Stage 2 – Paroxysmal phase
• Paroxysms of intense coughing lasting up to several minutes, occasionally
followed by a loud whoop
• Posttussive vomiting and turning red with coughing
Stage 3 – Convalescent stage
• Chronic cough, which may last for weeks if pt develops secondary infection
symptoms may return.

6. Signs
persistant cough, apnea, whoop cough, exhaustion, coryza, paroxysms,
runny nose,postussive vomiting,underlying signs..

7. Incubation period
• The incubation period of pertusis is commonly 7 to 10 days with a range
of 4 to 21 days .
• Rarely may be as long as 42 days
Risk factors
• People living in poor environmental hygiene, bad sanitation, and
crowded places are susceptible to infection. Other high-risk population
includes:
• Infants < 6 months of age (because of undeveloped immune system)
• Premature infants
• Adolescents and young adults whose vaccine has worn off (vaccine
wears off after a certain amount of time, generally 10 years)
• Children who did not undergo vaccination
• People who are in close contact with infected person
• Pregnant women

8. Early diagnosis
• Diagnosis of whooping cough is made based on patient’s signs and
symptoms, medical history, and other diagnostic tests such as X-ray,
blood tests and culture of nasopharyngeal secretions.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Blood sample is collected for
examination. Lymphocyte (white blood cells) levels and erythrocyte
sedimentation rate (ESR) are usually elevated in this condition.
• Chest X-ray: It is an imaging test that helps to detect inflammation in
the lungs.
• Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): This test helps to
identify antibodies such as IgG, IgM, and IgA in the serum or plasma.
• Culture Test: Two samples are taken from each nostril at the posterior
nasopharynx with a swab. Then the swabs are examined for bacteria
through gram staining technique

9. Treatment
• The infected patient should be isolated first and people
caring for the infected patients should wear protective
equipment to prevent spread of infection. Treatment
options for whooping cough include:
• Supplemental oxygen, nasopharyngeal suction (removing of
phlegm by inserting a catheter through nose), and
intravenous (IV) fluids are provided if the child’s condition is
severe and is hospitalized.
• Antibiotics such as azithromycin, erythromycin, and
clarithromycin are commonly recommended to treat the
infection.

10. Prevention and control measure
• Vaccination is the best measure to prevent whooping cough. DTaP is the vaccine
available for whooping cough. This vaccine provides protection against
diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
• Dosage schedule of vaccine for babies, according to Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC):
• First dose: 2 months old
• Second dose: 4 months
• Third dose: 6 months
• Booster doses: 15 and 18 months
• Maintenance doses: 4 and 6 year
Take medications as per prescription. Don’t stop medications, unless advised by your
doctor.
• Take plenty of rest.
• Consume diet rich in nutrition.
• Stay hydrated. Drink clean, purified water.
• To prevent spread of infection, cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing. You
can also wear a mask to cover your mouth

11. complications
• Bronchitis is the common complication of whooping cough.
Other complications that may occur are:
• Pneumonia
• Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
• Cerebral hemorrhage and seizures (due to brain damage)
• Epistaxis (bleeding from the nose)
• Weight loss