- Bordetella pertussis is a Gram-negative coccobacillus that causes whooping cough (pertussis). It is highly contagious and affects mostly children. - B. pertussis has various virulence factors like pertussis toxin, adenylate cyclase toxin, and filamentous hemagglutinin that allow it to attach to and damage respiratory epithelial cells. - Whooping cough presents as a catarrhal stage with maximum infectivity followed by paroxysmal stage with violent coughing spells and characteristic whooping sound when inhaling. - Laboratory diagnosis involves microscopy, culture on Bordet-Gengou medium, and immunofluorescence or slide ag

1. Bordetella
Dr. Kanwal Deep Singh Lyall
M.D. Microbiology

2. • Very small GNCB, NM,, non-sporing
• Oxidase +, catalase +
• Bordet & Gengou – From Whooping cough Pt
• B. pertussis (95% cases), B. parapertussis
(grows on NA & produces pigment) (5%),
B. bronchiseptica (0.1%), B. avium (turkeys)

3. Bordetella pertussis
• Bipolar metachromatic granules with toluidine
blue, confluent growth – aluminum paint
• Culture: strict aerobes, Bordet – Gengou
medium (Glycerol potato BA) x 48 – 72 hrs –
bisected pearls or mercury drops with hazy H’sis
• Charcoal BA may be used
• Blood – neutralizes inhibitory substance formed
during bacterial growth
• Loose clumps of bacilli appear as thumb
print with clear space b/w organism

4. Antigenic
Structure
Agglutinogens: heat labile Ags
associated with capsule , 1-14
LPS: heat stable endotoxin
Heat Labile Toxin:
unclear role,
cytoplasmic protein
Adenylate cyclase: enters
cells production of cAMP
Filamentous hemagglutinins:
attachment respiratory Ep.
Cells & RBCs – used in vaccine
Peractin : OMP –
virulence – acellular
pertussis vaccine
Pertussis toxin:
heat labile exotoxin
Major virulence factor
A+B components
A = enzymatic activity –S1
B = Binding (S2,S3, S4. S4, S5)
Can be toxoided – vaccine
Tracheal cytotoxin:
derived from
peptidoglycan, damage
Ep cells - 2° infection

6. Variations
• Capsular antigen
• May alter from smooth to rough
• Phase I To Phase iv (Rough & avirulent)
• On B.G. medium – X (xanthine – Yellow), C
(cyanic = blue), I (intermediate)

7. Pathogenesis
• One of the most infectious bacterial disease
• Childhood disease – whooping cough
• Source = patient in early stage, IP – 1-2 wks
• Droplets
• Catarrhal stage: max. infectivity, diff. Dx
• Paroxysmal – violent cough spasms of cont.
cough – lungs empty – air rushes in – whoop
• Convalescence

8. Complications
• Subconjuntival H’age
• Bronchopneumonia
• Lung collapse
• Convulsions
• Coma
• Reinfection in adults – sever disease

9. Lab diagnosis
• Sample – resp. secretions, per nasal or
nasophyrangeal swabs (dacron or Ca. alginate)
sent in modified Stuart’s medium
• Microscopy: Immuno - fluorescence
• Culture – B.G. Medium
• Cough plate method
• Colonies – slide agglutination tests or IF

10. Treatment & Prophylaxis
• TET, CPC, ERY (DOC), AMP
• DTP – adjuvant to toxoids
• Smooth phase 1 strain is used
• Maternal antibodies are not protective
• 6ws → 10wks → 14wks → 15 – 18 m → 4-6 yrs
• Booster with erythromycin for contacts
• Don’t vaccinate after 7 yrs age

11. X