Bordetella parapertussis

Bordetella parapertussis is a species of Gram-negative bacteria in the genus Bordetella, which is part of the family Alcaligenaceae. It is one of the causative agents of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, a highly contagious respiratory disease.

Characteristics

Bordetella parapertussis is a small, aerobic, non-motile coccobacillus. It is oxidase and catalase positive. The bacterium is known for its ability to produce a variety of virulence factors, including adenylate cyclase toxin, pertactin, and filamentous hemagglutinin, which contribute to its pathogenicity.

Pathogenesis

Bordetella parapertussis causes a milder form of whooping cough than Bordetella pertussis. The disease is characterized by paroxysmal coughing, whooping, and post-tussive vomiting. The bacterium is transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of Bordetella parapertussis infection is typically made through culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of a nasopharyngeal swab. Treatment usually involves antibiotics, such as erythromycin, azithromycin, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Prevention

Vaccination with the acellular pertussis vaccine (aP) can provide some protection against Bordetella parapertussis, although the immunity it confers is not as strong or long-lasting as that against Bordetella pertussis.

See Also

• Bordetella pertussis
• Whooping cough
• Pertussis vaccine