The type three secretion system of Bordetella pertussis

Abstract

Despite the description of whooping cough as a vaccine preventable disease, and the implementation of extensive vaccination programs, Bordetella pertussis remains a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. The recent observation that increasing numbers of adults are being diagnosed with B. pertussis, and may be transmitting the bacteria to infants, has called into question the level of protection provided by current pertussis vaccines, and highlighted the need for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying B. pertussis pathogenesis. The identification of novel B. pertussis surface molecules that assist in the design of improved pertussis vaccines and the further characterisation of B. pertussis virulence factors are therefore important goals in the field of pertussis research.