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Of mice and men: asymmetric interactions between Bordetella pathogen species

O Restif1, D N Wolfe, E M Goebel

  • 1Cambridge Infectious Diseases Consortium, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 OES, UK. or226@cam.ac.uk

Parasitology
|February 12, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Asymmetric cross-immunity between Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis challenges existing models. Mathematical modeling suggests pertussis vaccination may not impact parapertussis prevalence due to this immune pattern.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology
  • Mathematical Biology

Background:

  • Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis are related bacterial pathogens causing whooping cough.
  • Previous infection with B. pertussis does not protect against B. parapertussis, but B. parapertussis infection confers cross-protection.
  • This asymmetric cross-immunity contradicts assumptions in many mathematical models of pathogen strain dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the population-level consequences of asymmetric cross-immunity between B. pertussis and B. parapertussis.
  • To model the circulation dynamics of these two pathogens in human populations, considering vaccination.
  • To explore conditions favoring the dominance of B. pertussis and the impact of vaccination on pathogen prevalence.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a mathematical model incorporating asymmetric cross-immunity and fitness costs for B. parapertussis.
  • Analyzed parameter ranges for the coexistence of both pathogens, with and without vaccination.
  • Simulated the impact of introducing anti-pertussis vaccination on pathogen dynamics.

Main Results:

  • B. pertussis dominance requires a significant competitive advantage (e.g., higher infectivity) over B. parapertussis.
  • Asymmetric cross-immunity leads to minimal impact of anti-pertussis vaccination on the absolute prevalence of B. parapertussis.
  • The model explores conditions for pathogen coexistence and the effects of vaccination strategies.

Conclusions:

  • Asymmetric cross-immunity is a critical factor in understanding the dynamics of B. pertussis and B. parapertussis.
  • Pertussis vaccination strategies may need re-evaluation given the limited effect on B. parapertussis prevalence.
  • The findings have implications for modeling other pathogen systems with similar cross-immunity patterns.

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