Bordetella pertussis

Question 1

type

Answer 1

Small, thin, Gram
-ve coccobacilli

Question 2

transmission and season

Answer 2

Unvaccinated
children
Reservoir:
adults
- Highly
communicable

Question 3

presentation

Answer 3

Whooping cough
Incubation period(5-10 days)
→ Communicable
course(onset to 3 weeks after
start of paroxysmal cough) :
Catarrhal stage(1-2 weeks) -
non specific sx, mild fever,
cough
Paroxysmal stage(1-6 wks) -
classic whoop: buildup of
secretion - prominent at night
→ convalescent stage(weeks
to months) clear up bacteria

Question 4

virulence factors

Answer 4

Virulence factor:
1. Protein adhesins:
pertactin,
FHA(filamentous
hemagglutinin),
Fimbria - bacterial
attachment
1. Dermonecrotic toxin,
tracheal cytotoxin:
bacterial proliferation
2. Pertussis
toxin:removes the
inhibitor of adenylate
cyclase → Inc cAMP

Question 5

diagnostic

Answer 5

Sample:
nasopharyngeal
swab or
secretions
- NOT
cotton
swab
- NOT
throat
swab
Nutritionally
fastidious:
charcoal blood
agar+cephalosp
orin(Bordet
Gengou)

Question 6

prognosis

Answer 6

DaPT
vaccine
a) whole
vaccine:
formalin
inactivated
rarely used
b) Acellular
components
: e.g. Fha,
PT
Lower side
effects
Immunity can
decrease
over time