Bordetella holmesii

Bordetella holmesii
Bordetella holmesii
Scientific classification
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus	Bordetella
Species	holmesii
Binomial name	Bordetella holmesii
Binomial authority
Synonyms

Bordetella holmesii is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Bordetella. It was first described by Weyant et al. in 1994 and named in recognition of Barry Holmes, a prominent biologist. This bacterium is part of the family Alcaligenaceae and is closely related to *Bordetella pertussis*, the causative agent of whooping cough.

• B. holmesii* is characterized as asaccharolytic, oxidase-negative, and nonmotile, producing a distinctive brown pigment. Unlike *Bordetella pertussis*, *Bordetella holmesii* does not utilize sugars for energy, which is reflected in its asaccharolytic nature.

Pathogenicity and Clinical Significance

• Bordetella holmesii* is associated with a variety of infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as those with AIDS or those who are asplenic. It has been implicated in cases of sepsis, endocarditis, and respiratory illness, making it a significant pathogen in certain high-risk groups.

The bacterium has also been found in patients co-infected with *Bordetella pertussis*, although its role in these mixed infections is still under investigation. While *Bordetella holmesii* is not as well studied as *Bordetella pertussis*, it has been reported to cause illness similar to that of other Bordetella species, including symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection and more severe systemic complications in vulnerable individuals.

Diagnosis and Identification

The identification of *Bordetella holmesii* is typically done through microbiological culture and identification methods. It is important to note that this bacterium shares many similarities with *Bordetella pertussis* and *Bordetella parapertussis*, so differentiation between these species may require advanced techniques such as molecular testing or PCR. The bacterium’s nonmotility, oxidase-negative status, and asaccharolytic nature are distinguishing characteristics.

External Links

• Bordetella Microbe Wiki: Bordetella
• UniProt Entry for Bordetella holmesii