Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 10, 2026
Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice
Published on: February 22, 2019
Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Molecular Detection of Pertactin-producing and Pertactin-Deficient Bordetella
Emily Souder1, Jennifer Vodzak, Alan T Evangelista
1From the *Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and †Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Abstract:
Resurgence of Bordetella pertussis in recent years in the United States has coincided with a dramatic rise in pertactin-deficient strains. Limited data exist on detectability by nucleic acid amplification testing and antimicrobial susceptibility of pertactin-deficient B. pertussis. This study compares 15 pertactin-producing and 15 pertactin-deficient B. pertussis isolates. Pertactin-producing and pertactin-deficient strains were equally detected by nucleic acid amplification testing and were susceptible to antibiotics.
Insights
Pertactin-deficient Bordetella pertussis strains are rising but are equally detectable by nucleic acid amplification testing and remain susceptible to antibiotics, similar to pertactin-producing strains.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) is re-emerging in the US.
- A rise in pertactin-deficient strains has been observed.
- Data on these deficient strains' detectability and antibiotic susceptibility are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the detectability of pertactin-deficient B. pertussis strains using nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT).
- To assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of pertactin-deficient B. pertussis strains.
- To compare these characteristics with pertactin-producing B. pertussis strains.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 15 pertactin-producing and 15 pertactin-deficient B. pertussis isolates.
- Utilized nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) for detection.
- Performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Main Results:
- Pertactin-deficient and pertactin-producing B. pertussis strains showed equal detectability via NAAT.
- All tested B. pertussis strains, regardless of pertactin status, were susceptible to antibiotics.
Conclusions:
- Nucleic acid amplification testing effectively detects both pertactin-producing and pertactin-deficient Bordetella pertussis.
- Pertactin-deficient B. pertussis strains do not exhibit antibiotic resistance.
- These findings are crucial for diagnosing and treating pertussis amidst evolving bacterial populations.
