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Updated: Oct 20, 2026

Cerebellar Regional Dissection for Molecular Analysis
08:51

Cerebellar Regional Dissection for Molecular Analysis

Published on: December 5, 2020

Cerebellar ataxia following whooping cough

F Setta1, M Baecke, J Jacquy

  • 1Servizio di Neurologia, Universita La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.

Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
|June 1, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Bordetella pertussis (BP), the cause of whooping cough, can lead to permanent cerebellar ataxia in adolescents. This study details three cases of disabling cerebellar syndrome following BP infection, highlighting a potential link between bacterial exotoxins and neurodegeneration.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Bordetella pertussis (BP) is the causative agent of whooping cough.
  • BP infection is typically associated with respiratory symptoms.
  • Permanent cerebellar ataxia has not been previously linked to BP infections in humans.

Observation:

  • Three adolescent patients developed a disabling and permanent cerebellar syndrome after whooping cough.
  • Neurological symptoms appeared 3 weeks to 3 months post-infection.
  • Clinical presentation included dysmetria of ocular saccades, scanning speech, and ataxic gait.

Findings:

  • Diagnosis of BP infection was confirmed by culture in two patients.
  • Brain MRI revealed pancerebellar atrophy in all three patients.
  • This is the first report of a cerebellar syndrome triggered by a bacterial exotoxin.

Implications:

  • Suggests a potential neurotoxic effect of BP exotoxins, specifically lymphocytosis-promoting factor (LPF).
  • Highlights the vulnerability of the cerebellum to BP-associated toxins.
  • Underscores the need for further research into the pathogenesis of BP-induced cerebellar degeneration.

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