WHOOPING COUGH

Caused by Bordetella pertusis
Aerobic, Gram negative coccobacillus
Specific to Humans
Colonizes the respiratory tract
Transmission
Very Contagious
Transmission occurs via respiratory droplets
Toxins:
Pertussis Toxin
Adenylate Cyclase Toxin
Tracheal cytotoxin
Dermonecrotic toxin
Heat-labile toxin
Also known as Pertussis
Outbreaks first described in the 16th Century
Major cause of childhood fatality prior to vaccination
Clinical features:
Incubation period 4-21 days
3 Stages
1st Stage- Catarrhal Stage 1-2 weeks
2nd Stage- Paroxysmal Stage 1-6 weeks
3rd Stage- Covalescent Stage weeks-months
Diagnosis:
Isolation by culture
PCR
Direct fluorescent antibody
Serological testing
Treatment:
Antibiotic therapy
Erythromycin
Azithromycin and clarithromycin
Prevention:
1st Pertussis vaccine- whole cell
Acellular vaccine now used
Combination vaccines