Bordetella pertussis

Classification

Kingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Proteobacteria

Class: Betaproteobacteria

Order: Burkholderiales

Family: Alcaligenaceae

Genus: Bordetella

Species: B. pertussis

Description and Significance

Bordetella pertusis, commonly known as whooping cough, was first defined in the 16th century. It is a respiratory tract infection depicted by a paroxysmal cough. Bordetella pertusis is extremely tiny, and is a Gram-negative aerobic coccobacilius. It can appear in singles or in pairs. Before vaccinations were prevalent, Bordetella pertusis was a major cause of death among children and infants. After the pertusis vaccine was introduced, reported cases of this infection decreased by more than 99%. Even though this infection has been contained for the most part, it is still remains a disease that is of major concern.

Pathophysiology

Humans are the only home for Bordetella pertusis. Through aerosolized droplets from coughing, Bordetella pertusis is spread. This gram-negative pleomorphic bacillius attaches to and damages ciliated respiratory epithelium.