100 Days of Horror with Bordetella Pertussis by Isabella Theamaree Fortun
Bordetella pertussis is a fimbriated Gram-negative, pleomorphic, aerobic coccobacillus. It also has a surface associated microcapsule however the role of this is unknown.
Bordetella species, in general, grow best at 35° to 37° C. 1 Their growth is fastidious, and this degree of fastidiousness is inversely proportional to its rate of growth.1 Among all Bordetella species, Bordetella pertussis is the most fastidious and slowest growing; this slow growth is caused by the growth inhibition caused by fatty acids, metal ions, sulfides, and peroxides.1 Furthermore, this bacteria affect humans only and it has no known animal reservoir.1 It is an extremely infectious organism that is transmitted via respiratory droplets from an infected person.3 From here, it can infect directly to a susceptible host, or indirectly via fomites.3 Its transmission is greatest during the early stage of illness.3
Bordetella pertussis is a strict pathogen of the …show more content…
3 For infants below 1 month of age, azithromycin is recommended.1 This drug is also the drug of choice for adults compared to erythromycin as it has fewer serious drug interactions.1 Macrolides, in general, are used to treat respiratory infections caused by both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Aside from having a high level of tissue penetration, their antimicrobial activity is focused on the inhibition bacterial protein synthesis. As macrolides have 1,2, and 3 ribosomal binding, they are able to achieve this inhibition through reversible bindings to the P site of the 50s subunit of the bacterial ribosome. It is also worth noting that supportive care plays a role in managing the disease, especially in
Bordetella pertussis is a fimbriated Gram-negative, pleomorphic, aerobic coccobacillus. It also has a surface associated microcapsule however the role of this is unknown.
Bordetella species, in general, grow best at 35° to 37° C. 1 Their growth is fastidious, and this degree of fastidiousness is inversely proportional to its rate of growth.1 Among all Bordetella species, Bordetella pertussis is the most fastidious and slowest growing; this slow growth is caused by the growth inhibition caused by fatty acids, metal ions, sulfides, and peroxides.1 Furthermore, this bacteria affect humans only and it has no known animal reservoir.1 It is an extremely infectious organism that is transmitted via respiratory droplets from an infected person.3 From here, it can infect directly to a susceptible host, or indirectly via fomites.3 Its transmission is greatest during the early stage of illness.3
Bordetella pertussis is a strict pathogen of the …show more content…
3 For infants below 1 month of age, azithromycin is recommended.1 This drug is also the drug of choice for adults compared to erythromycin as it has fewer serious drug interactions.1 Macrolides, in general, are used to treat respiratory infections caused by both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Aside from having a high level of tissue penetration, their antimicrobial activity is focused on the inhibition bacterial protein synthesis. As macrolides have 1,2, and 3 ribosomal binding, they are able to achieve this inhibition through reversible bindings to the P site of the 50s subunit of the bacterial ribosome. It is also worth noting that supportive care plays a role in managing the disease, especially in