What is Bordetella pertussis or Whooping Cough?

What is Whooping Cough?

Commonly known as whooping cough or pertussis, this is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis). Whooping cough was first mentioned in literature between 1414 and 1540, with the first description of an epidemic dating back to 1578. The causative agent, Bordetella pertussis, was isolated for the first time in 1906. Subsequently, a vaccine was developed and has been included in the Expanded Program on Immunization by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1974.

Is Whooping Cough Still Present Today?

Despite the results achieved through vaccination, whooping cough remains a leading cause of death among infectious diseases against which immunization is conducted. According to WHO estimates, 20 to 40 million people worldwide contract whooping cough each year, affecting both developing and developed parts of the world. The rise in cases can be attributed to increased disease diagnostics, the limited duration of vaccine-induced immunity, and current antigenic changes in B. pertussis.

Clinical Picture and Symptoms of Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

In the typical clinical presentation of whooping cough, the disease is differentiated into three stages:

1. First Stage: (lasting from at least 5 to a maximum of 21 days after incubation): Characterized by cold-like symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, cough, possible mild fever). This stage lasts 1-2 weeks.
2. Second Stage: Symptoms from the first stage worsen, especially at night. This stage lasts 1-6 weeks.
3. Third Stage: Lasts for weeks to months (from the onset of the first symptoms). Symptoms gradually subside, and the body recovers.

Laboratory Diagnosis of Whooping Cough

For all patients suspected of having whooping cough, definitive diagnosis requires laboratory testing. The following methods are used:

1. Direct Testing – PCR diagnostics, using samples such as swabs or blood.
2. Indirect Laboratory Tests – Serological tests from blood (detecting the presence of a specific immune response, i.e., antibodies against Bordetella pertussis toxin, including Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG and IgA).

The type of test used for diagnostic purposes depends on the duration of the cough:

The most effective measure to prevent whooping cough is vaccination, which is in accordance with the regulations on mandatory and recommended immunization programs for specific infectious diseases, as well as the regulations on immunization and protection methods, and is mandatory for all individuals of certain age groups.