Whooping cough stick

Whooping cough bacillus (Bordetella pertussis, Bp) is the causative agent of whooping cough, an acute infectious disease of the respiratory tract. It is a gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium belonging to the family Alcaligenaceae.

Bp is characterized by the presence of flagella, allowing it to actively move. The main factor of pathogenicity is the toxins produced by the bacterium. In particular, pertussis toxin causes damage to the ciliated epithelium of the bronchi, which leads to paroxysmal coughing. Other toxins suppress the immune system.

The source of infection is sick people. Transmission occurs by airborne droplets. Bp causes disease only in humans. Diagnosis is based on identifying characteristic symptoms and identifying the pathogen. Treatment includes antibiotics and symptomatic therapy. Vaccination remains the main preventive measure.