Bordetella

• Bordetella

  • Gram-negative, small rods or coccobacilli
  • Non-spore forming
  • Motile with peritrichous flagella (except B. pertussis and B. parapertussis)
  • Strict aerobes
  • Do not attack carbohydrates, derive their energy by oxidation of amino acids
  • Oxidase and Catalase positive
• Sources/Reservoir of Bordetella

  • Upper respiratory tract of healthy and diseased human, animals, and birds
• Bordetella avium


  • Respiratory tract of poultry, principally turkeys
• Bordetella bronchiseptica


  • Upper respiratory tract of pigs, dog, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, horses and possibly other animals
• Growth characteristics and Biochemical tests

  1. Incubation (aerobically at 37°C for 24-28 hrs)

  2. Alkaline to neutral conditions

  3. Hemagglutination test

  4. Serology (Tube agglutination, Microagglutination, ELISA)
• Routine media

  • Sheep-blood agar
  • MacConkey Agar
• Selective media/indicator medium for B. avium and B. bronchiseptica

  • Smith-Baskerville
• Selective media for B. pertussis

  • Bordet-Gengou Agar
• Bordetella avium - Turkey Coryza (Avian Bordetellosis)


  • Host: Poultry (turkey)
  • Transmission: Endogenous infection, Direct contact with infected animals Aerosols, Contaminated drinking water, feed
  • History and Clinical signs and lesions: beak-breathing, sneezing, sinusitis with a clear nasal discharge foamy-watery eyes (excessive lacrimation)
  • Lesions: nasal and tracheal exudates, collapse of cartilaginous rings progressive, loss of ciliated epithelium
  • Treatment and Prevention: Broad spectrum antibiotics early in the course may be beneficial, Vaccination (bacterins MLV), Thorough cleaning and disinfection of turkey houses after an outbreak of disease
• Bordetella bronchiseptica - Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough)


  • Host: Dogs
  • Predisposing factors: Mixed infections of Canine Parainfluenza virus and Canine adenovirus 2
  • Transmission: Direct contact with infected animals Aerosols, Fomites
  • History and Clinical signs: Coughing, gagging or retching, mild serous oculonasal discharge, affected dogs may remain active, alert, and non-febrile
  • Treatment and Prevention: Antibiotic therapy for severe cases Isolation of affected dogs, Vaccination (bacterin MLV)
• Bordetella bronchiseptica - Nasal Catarrh (Snuffles)


  • Host: Rabbits
  • Predisposing factors: Mixed infections (Pasteurella multocida)
  • Transmission: Direct contact with infected animals, contact with contaminated environment
  • History and Clinical signs and lesions: discharges from the nose and eyes sneezing and coughing, head tilting, skin sores, matted fur, poor appetite difficulty breathing
  • Treatment and Prevention: Antibiotic therapy, Isolation of affected rabbits, Vaccination (bacterin MLV)
• Bordetella bronchiseptica - Atrophic Rhinitis


  • Host: Pigs (under 4 weeks old)
  • Predisposing factors: Overstocking, poor ventilation, concurrent infection with P. multocida type D
  • Transmission: Endogenous infection, Direct contact with infected animals contaminated drinking water, feed
  • History and Clinical signs and lesions: sneezing, followed by atrophy of the turbinate bones, which may be accompanied by distortion of the nasal septum and shortening or twisting of the upper jaw
  • Treatment and Prevention: Farm management (stocking density), isolation of infected animals from healthy ones
• Bordetella pertussis

  Whooping Cough

  Man, Chimpanzee