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Conversion of Bordetella pertussis to Bordetella parapertussis
Abstract:
The epidemiological and drug susceptibility data on whooping cough suggested a possibility that Bordetella pertussis converts in some way to Bordetella parapertussis. To prove this, B. pertussis strain 75 was treated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and a mutant resistant to staphcillin v and eight mutants resistant to trimethoprim were isolated. The staphcillin V-resistant mutant of B. pertussis agreed with all of the criteria of B. parapertussis and the trimethoprim-resistant mutants also agreed with many of these criteria. Thus, a hypothesis is presented that B. parapertussis is a mutant of B. pertussis which appeared in nature probably by a selective pressure of antibiotics.
Insights
Bordetella pertussis may transform into Bordetella parapertussis. Antibiotic resistance in B. pertussis created mutants resembling B. parapertussis, suggesting a natural evolutionary link.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Epidemiological and drug susceptibility data suggest Bordetella pertussis may convert to Bordetella parapertussis.
- Understanding the relationship between these Bordetella species is crucial for pertussis control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for Bordetella pertussis to transform into Bordetella parapertussis.
- To explore the role of antibiotic selective pressure in this potential transformation.
Main Methods:
- B. pertussis strain 75 was mutagenized using N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.
- Mutants resistant to staphcillin V and trimethoprim were isolated and characterized.
Main Results:
- A staphcillin V-resistant mutant of B. pertussis exhibited characteristics identical to B. parapertussis.
- Trimethoprim-resistant mutants showed significant agreement with B. parapertussis criteria.
Conclusions:
- Bordetella parapertussis is hypothesized to be a natural mutant of Bordetella pertussis.
- Antibiotic selective pressure is proposed as a likely mechanism for the emergence of B. parapertussis.