Whooping cough is caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, tiny germ-laden droplets are sprayed into the air and breathed into the lungs of anyone who happens to be nearby.
What is the mechanism of action of pertussis whooping cough?
The toxin kills ciliated cells and causes their extrusion from the mucosa. It also stimulates release of cytokine IL-1, and so causes fever. It produces the pertussis toxin, PTx, a protein that mediates both the colonization and toxemic stages of the disease. PTx is a two component, A+B bacterial exotoxin.
What does pertussis do to the lungs?
Pertussis can cause violent and rapid coughing, over and over, until the air is gone from your lungs. When there is no more air in the lungs, you are forced to inhale with a loud “whooping” sound. This extreme coughing can cause you to throw up and be very tired.
What is the causative agent of pertussis?
Pertussis, a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough, is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. These bacteria attach to the cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions) that line part of the upper respiratory system.
Is pertussis airborne or droplet?
Pertussis is spread by respiratory droplets generated through coughing, sneezing and even talking. People with pertussis usually spread the disease while in close contact with others, who then breathe in the bacteria. An infected person is most contagious early in the course of illness.
Is pertussis a droplet precaution?
Illnesses that require droplet precautions include influenza (flu), pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, and respiratory illnesses, such as those caused by coronavirus infections.
What does Bordetella pertussis do to the body?
Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough (pertussis), an acute respiratory infection marked by severe, spasmodic coughing episodes during the paroxysmal phase. Leukocytosis with lymphocytosis is also common during this phase of the illness. Dangerous complications are bronchopneumonia and acute encephalopathy.
What body systems does pertussis affect?
Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious bacterial infection. Whooping cough spreads easily by coughing and sneezing and mainly affects the respiratory system (the organs that help you breathe, such as your lungs).
What cells does pertussis affect?
pertussis therefore requires both Th1 and Th17 cells. The earliest studies on cellular immunity generated by immunization of mice showed that wP induced polarized Th1 responses, whereas aP primarily induced Th2 cells99, 100 (Figure 3).
