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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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.