Bordetella pertussis

• What type of bacteria is Bordetella Pertussis?

  Gram -ve
• What is the shape of Bordetella Pertussis?

  Very Short Rod
• Does Bordetella Pertussis have flagella?

  No Flagella
• What type of aerobe is Bordetella Pertussis?

  Strict Aerobe
• What do the colonies of Bordetella Pertussis resemble?

  ‘Mercury Drop’ Like Colonies
• What does Bordetella Pertussis require for growth?

  Blood or Charcoal Medium
• What is formed in clinical specimens and blood-containing media?

  Capsule Formation
• How is Bordetella Pertussis transmitted?

  Respiratory Droplets
• What is the reservoir for Bordetella Pertussis?

  Humans
• What is the role of filamentous hemagglutinin in Bordetella Pertussis?

  Adhere epithelial cells of trachea
• What is the effect of Pertussis Toxin?

  Inhibition of GI protein
• What does Pertussis Toxin lead to in cells?

  cAMP accumulation
• What does Tracheal Cytotoxin do?

  Kills epithelial cells of trachea
• What is the function of Adenylate Cyclase Toxin?

  Inhibits phagocytosis
• What is the pathophysiology of Bordetella Pertussis infection?

  • Proliferation on ciliated epithelial cells
  • Production of virulence factors
  • Paralysis of respiratory epithelium cilia
  • Inflammation and secretion of exudate
  • Compromised small airways leading to cough
• What is the clinical manifestation of Whooping Cough?

  Paroxysmal Coughing with Whooping Sound
• What are the stages of Whooping Cough?

  1. Catarrhal Stage (Weeks 1-2)

  • Mild cough, watery nasal discharge

  1. Paroxysmal Stage (Weeks 2-6)

  • Intense coughing, whooping sound, vomiting
  • Infants may develop apnoea

  1. Convalescent Stage (Weeks-Months)

  • Progressive reduction of symptoms
• What specimens are used for microbiological diagnosis of Bordetella Pertussis?

  • Calcium Alginate
  • Nasopharyngeal Swabs
  • Coughed Droplets
• What medium is used for culturing Bordetella Pertussis?

  Bordet-Gengou Medium
• What components does Bordet-Gengou Medium contain?

  Blood, potato extract, glycerol
• What is the role of potato extract in Bordet-Gengou Medium?

  Provides nitrogen and vitamins
• Why is glycerol included in Bordet-Gengou Medium?

  Carbon source
• What is the purpose of immunofluorescence in diagnosing Bordetella Pertussis?

  Detects B. pertussis in smears
• What is the treatment for Bordetella Pertussis?

  Macrolides e.g., erythromycin
• What are the prevention methods for Bordetella Pertussis?

  • Killed Vaccine (with diphtheria + tetanus)
  • Subunit Vaccine (includes multiple components)
• What components are included in the subunit vaccine for Bordetella Pertussis?

  • Pertussis Toxoid
  • Filamentous Haemagglutinin
  • Diphtheria Toxoid
  • Tetanus Toxoid
  • Inactivated Poliomyelitis Virus
  • Polysaccharide of H. influenzae type B