Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Sublingual Immunotherapy as an Alternative to Induce Protection Against Acute Respiratory Infections
16:56

Sublingual Immunotherapy as an Alternative to Induce Protection Against Acute Respiratory Infections

Published on: August 30, 2014

Essential immunogens in human pertussis: the role of fimbriae

N W Preston

    Developments in Biological Standardization
    |January 1, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Pertussis (whooping cough) serotypes changed after vaccination declined. Agglutinogen-2 strains, which are fimbriated, became dominant, but a vaccine solely from fimbriae may be inadequate.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Immunology
    • Vaccinology

    Background:

    • Pertussis vaccination rates declined in Britain from the mid-1970s.
    • Agglutinogen-2 strains (types 1.2.3 and 1.2) replaced type 1.3 as the predominant pertussis serotypes.
    • Agglutinogen-2 strains are fimbriated, potentially enhancing attachment to mucosal cells in unvaccinated populations.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the implications of changing pertussis serotype predominance.
    • To evaluate the potential inadequacy of subcellular vaccines based on fimbriae (agglutinogen 2).
    • To assess the suitability of the mouse model for pertussis vaccine development.

    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of pertussis serotype prevalence shifts.
    • Evaluation of fimbrial presence in different serotypes.
    • Assessment of the role of agglutinogens in vaccine efficacy and mouse models.

    Main Results:

    • Agglutinogen-2 strains became predominant following decreased pertussis vaccination.
    • Type 1.3 strains lack fimbriae, while agglutinogen-2 strains possess them.
    • Agglutinogen 3 is crucial for whole-cell vaccine effectiveness.
    • Mice are susceptible to type 1 strains lacking agglutinogens 2 and 3.

    Conclusions:

    • The shift to fimbriated agglutinogen-2 pertussis strains may be linked to increased attachment in unvaccinated communities.
    • A subcellular vaccine targeting only fimbriae (agglutinogen 2) might be insufficient due to the importance of agglutinogen 3.
    • The mouse model is unsuitable for verifying the presence of essential immunogens (agglutinogens 2 and 3) in pertussis vaccines.

    More Related Videos

    Assays for Studying the Role of Vitronectin in Bacterial Adhesion and Serum Resistance10:55

    Assays for Studying the Role of Vitronectin in Bacterial Adhesion and Serum Resistance

    Published on: October 16, 2018

    Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice08:52

    Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice

    Published on: February 22, 2019

    Related Concept Videos

    Vaccinations01:51

    Vaccinations

    Overview
    Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity01:26

    Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

    An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
    Complete Antigens
    Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
    Development of Immunocompetence01:22

    Development of Immunocompetence

    The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
    The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
    Subsequent T...
    Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments01:28

    Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments

    Fimbriae and pili are specialized bacterial surface structures that play pivotal roles in adhesion, genetic exchange, and motility. Composed primarily of pilin protein, these hairlike appendages are crucial for bacterial survival and pathogenicity in various environments.Fimbriae: Adhesion and PathogenicityFimbriae are fine, filamentous structures measuring 2–10 nanometers in diameter and are densely distributed on the bacterial cell surface. They facilitate bacterial adhesion to abiotic...
    Regulation of Bacterial Virulence01:28

    Regulation of Bacterial Virulence

    Pathogenic bacteria employ a range of regulatory mechanisms to modulate the expression of virulence genes in response to environmental and host-derived signals. These mechanisms ensure that virulence factors are expressed only under favorable conditions, thereby optimizing infection and survival strategies.Mechanisms of Virulence RegulationKey regulatory strategies include:Two-Component Systems: These consist of a membrane-bound sensor kinase and a cytoplasmic response regulator. Environmental...
    Diphtheria01:28

    Diphtheria

    Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated infectious disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive, pleomorphic rod that lacks spore-forming capability and exhibits a characteristic club-shaped morphology under microscopic examination. While C. diphtheriae can asymptomatically colonize mucosal surfaces, clinical disease manifests only when the bacterial strain is lysogenized by a specific β-corynephage. This phage...