Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough. It is a gram-negative coccobacillus that forms characteristic colonies on nutrient agar. Its virulence factors include pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and adenylate cyclase. The disease progresses through catarrhal, paroxysmal, and convalescent stages characterized by violent coughing fits followed by a whooping sound. Diagnosis involves culture on Bordet-Gengou or charcoal agar from throat swabs or sputum. Treatment includes erythromycin or other antibiotics, while vaccination with pertussis toxoid can prevent the disease.