Bordetella parapertusis
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Bordetella parapertusis
Bordetella parapertussis is a small Gram-negative bacterium of the genus Bordetella which is adapted to colonise the mammalian respiratory tract. Bordetella pertussis, B. parapertussis, and B. bronchiseptica share greater than 90% of their deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences. Pertussis caused by B. parapertussis manifests with similar symptoms to B. pertussis-derived disease but tends to be generally less severe. Immunity derived from B. pertussis does not protect against infection by B. parapertussis, however, because of the O-antigen that is found only on B. parapertussis. This antigen protects B. parapertussis against antibodies specific to B. pertussis, so the bacteria is free to colonize the hosts lungs without being subject to attack by previous antibodies. These findings suggest that B. parapertussis evolved in a host population that had already developed immunity to B. pertussis, where being able to evade B. pertussis immunity was an advantage.
Two lineages of B. parapertussis have been described. The first infects humans and is responsible for a minority of cases of the disease pertussis (also known as whooping cough). The second, ovine, lineage causes chronic non-progressive pneumonia in sheep. Both lineages are thought to have evolved from a B. bronchiseptica-like ancestor. This disease can be symptomatic or asymptomatic and may predispose hosts to secondary infection.
| Kingdom | Bacteria |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Proteobacteria |
| Class | Beta proteobacteria |
| Order | Burkholderiales |
| Family | Alcaligenaceae |
| Genus | Bordetella |
| Species | B. parapertusis |
| Binomial | Bordetella parapertusis |
[edit] Surface Characteristics
It consists of a characteristic lipopolysaccharide [LPS] on its outer surface. The O-chain of these bacteria was reported as a homopolymer of 1,4-linked 2,3-diacetamido-2,3- dideoxy-α-galacturonic acid. This polymer contains several amidated uronic acids, the number of which varies between strains
[edit] Pathogenic Activity
Bacteria spread via aerosolized droplets from coughing of infected individuals. Humans are the sole reservoir for the organisms. Transmission can occur through direct face-to-face contact, sharing a confined space, or through contact with oral, nasal, or respiratory secretions from an infected source. Pertussis is highly contagious, with as many as 80% of susceptible household contacts becoming infected after exposure. Family members or relatives were the suspected source of infection in 75% of cases
