Chapter 20, Problem 8SA

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The reason for an increase in the number of Pertussis cases in the United States since 1970, even after the availability of an effective vaccine.

Introduction:

Gram negative anaerobic bacterium, Bordetella pertussis, of the shape that is intermediate between roundly and rod-like, causes a disease called pertussis, known commonly as whooping cough. It disrupts the working of “ciliated epithelial” cells found in trachea and imparts the disease with the help of some toxins and molecules for adhesions. It is generally diagnosed in very young children up to 5 years of age, by observing symptoms of cough and can be mistaken as common cold.