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Molecular Epidemiology of Bordetella pertussis

Alex-Mikael Barkoff1, Qiushui He2,3

  • 1Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Microbiology, Virology and Immunology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|July 26, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Bordetella pertussis is evolving, with molecular changes in strains leading to increased pertussis epidemics despite vaccination. Understanding these bacterial shifts is crucial for controlling pertussis transmission.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Bordetella pertussis causes pertussis (whooping cough), with increasing epidemics observed globally, particularly in industrialized nations.
  • Acellular pertussis vaccines (aPs) are widely used, yet circulation of B. pertussis persists and evolves.
  • Molecular alterations in B. pertussis strains are implicated in the ongoing pertussis outbreaks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular changes in Bordetella pertussis strains.
  • To understand how these changes impact pertussis epidemiology.
  • To identify bacterial factors contributing to vaccine escape and disease circulation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on B. pertussis evolution.
  • Analysis of changes in bacterial virulence genes (e.g., pertussis toxin, pertactin).
  • Examination of advancements in molecular typing techniques (PFGE, MLVA, WGS) for strain monitoring.

Main Results:

  • B. pertussis strains show significant molecular evolution, including changes in fimbrial serotypes and virulence genes like pertactin (PRN).
  • Post-acellular vaccine introduction, strains deficient in vaccine antigens, particularly PRN, have become prevalent.
  • Genome-based techniques offer enhanced resolution for tracking B. pertussis strain dynamics.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular evolution of Bordetella pertussis, especially antigen variation, is a key driver of pertussis epidemiology.
  • Continued surveillance of bacterial genetic changes is essential for effective pertussis control strategies.
  • Antimicrobial resistance to macrolides remains low, but vigilance is necessary.
Keywords:
Bordetella pertussisGenetic variationPertactinVaccination

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