Causes whooping cough (pertussis)
Small, coccobacillary, encapsulated GNB
B. pertussis was identified and isolated by Jules Bordet and Octave Gengou in 1906
Virulence factors: pertussis toxin, adenylate cyclase toxin, filamentous hæmagglutinin, pertactin, fimbria, and tracheal cytotoxin
Bordet-Gengou medium, aerobic, 37°C
Human pathogen
Transmitted by airborne droplets
Incubation period is 7–10 days on average (range 6–20 days)
Isolated from nasopharyngeal swabs taken during the paroxysmal stage
Produces multiple antigenic and biologically active products that are responsible for the clinical features of pertussis