Pertussis (Whooping Cough): Bordetella pertussis Flashcards
Classify Bordetella pertussis
Gram negative
Aerobic
Coccobacilli
What are some virulence factors of pertussis?
1) Pertussis toxin
2) Filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA)
3) Pertactin
4) Tracheal cytotoxin
How does pertussis cause problems/disease?
The bacteria attach to the cilia of the respiratory epithelium, produce toxins that paralyze the cilia, then promote inflammation, effectively interfering with the clearing of pulmonary secretions.
Is pertussis a severe disease in adults?
Rarely. It’s mostly an annoying cough that if untreated lasts ~7 weeks.
**Most people are untreated = reservoir for the disease.
What are the 3 stages of pertussis disease?
1) Catarrhal stage (“Common cold”)
2) Paroxysmal stage (“Whooping cough”)
3) Convalescent stage (“Cough subsides”)
This stage is the most contagious. It simulates the same symptoms as a common cold, but with a cough that is progressively worse over 1-2 weeks.
Which stage is this?
Catarrhal stage
This stage is when the cough slowly starts to subside over a period of weeks to months. Commonly, several URI’s may reappear.
Which stage is this?
Convalescent stage
This stage is when one has random, severe bouts of coughing with inspiratory gasps (stridor), gagging, and cyanosis. Patients commonly become hypoxemic and the glottis is dangerously narrowed. Complications are most likely during this stage.
Which stage is this?
Paroxysmal
How is pertussis transmitted?
Person to person. Extremely contagious.
Symptoms develop 7-10 days after exposure (but sometimes takes weeks)
What is the vaccine that has vastly decreased the prevalence of pertussis?
DTaP vaccine (Diptheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis)
–given at 5 doses at 2, 4, 6, 12-18 months and 4-6 years of age (must know this for boards)
What is the booster vaccine for adolescents and adults called?
Tdap
What was the original vaccine for pertussis called, which frequently caused side effects and severe brain damage?
Whole-cell pertussis vaccine
