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A causal relationship between Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis infections
1Department of Pediatrics, Keio University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Bordetella parapertussis is isolated during the late stages of pertussis outbreaks and occasionally from patients infected with pertussis. The relationship between Bordetella pertussis and B. parapertussis was investigated in mice with monoinfections and mixed infections. Four groups of 10 2-week-old suckling mice were studied: mice born to mice vaccinated against pertussis during pregnancy and unvaccinated controls consequently did and did not receive antipertussis toxin (PT) antibody transcolostrally. The mice were infected transnasally with B. parapertussis strain 422 and 2 identical groups were infected transnasally with B. parapertussis strain 422 and B. pertussis strain 18-323. Bacterial colonization of the lungs and trachea was studied at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after challenge. No persistent colonization by B. parapertussis of the lungs or trachea of monoinfected suckling mice were observed. Persistent colonization by B. parapertussis was observed when suckling mice that received anti-PT antibody transcolostrally were infected with both species. These findings are consistent with the clinical characteristics of B. parapertussis. The results of this study demonstrate that B. pertussis infection facilitates B. parapertussis infection.
Insights
Bordetella pertussis infection aids Bordetella parapertussis colonization in mice, particularly when maternal antibodies are present. This suggests B. pertussis facilitates B. parapertussis infection during pertussis outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Bacteriology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Bordetella parapertussis is often detected late in pertussis outbreaks.
- Its relationship with Bordetella pertussis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between B. pertussis and B. parapertussis in a murine model.
- To determine if B. pertussis infection influences B. parapertussis colonization.
Main Methods:
- Suckling mice, with and without transcolostral anti-pertussis toxin (PT) antibody, were used.
- Mice were infected with B. parapertussis alone or with both B. parapertussis and B. pertussis.
- Bacterial colonization in lungs and trachea was assessed at 1, 2, and 3 weeks post-infection.
Main Results:
- Monoinfection with B. parapertussis did not lead to persistent colonization in the lungs or trachea.
- Persistent B. parapertussis colonization occurred in mice receiving anti-PT antibody and infected with both bacterial species.
- B. pertussis infection was shown to facilitate B. parapertussis infection.
Conclusions:
- B. pertussis infection plays a role in enabling B. parapertussis colonization.
- Findings align with the clinical observation of B. parapertussis during pertussis outbreaks.