Bordetella pertussis surface antigens (B. pertussis antigens)

Bordetella pertussis surface antigens are a group of proteins and toxins expressed by the Gram-negative bacterium responsible for whooping cough (StatPearls, 2023). Key components include pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), pertactin (PRN), and fimbriae (Fim2 and Fim3) (CDC, 2022). These antigens play critical roles in the pathogenesis of the disease; PT disrupts host G-protein signaling, while FHA, PRN, and Fim facilitate bacterial adherence to the ciliated respiratory epithelium (PubMed, PMID: 25135745). In modern medicine, these antigens serve as the primary targets for acellular pertussis vaccines, which induce the production of host antibodies (WHO, 2023). These antibodies act by neutralizing the toxin's enzymatic activity and blocking the bacteria's ability to colonize the respiratory tract. Monitoring antibody titers against these specific antigens is essential for evaluating vaccine efficacy and population immunity. Recent challenges include the emergence of pertactin-deficient strains, which may impact the long-term effectiveness of current immunization strategies (PubMed, PMID: 24332835).

Other names

Pertussis antigensWhooping cough antigensBordetella pertussis virulence factorsPertussis toxinFilamentous hemagglutininPertactinFimbriae types 2 and 3

Induction of host-derived neutralizing antibodies (primarily IgG) that bind to bacterial surface proteins and toxins, preventing bacterial attachment to respiratory cilia and neutralizing the systemic effects of pertussis toxin (StatPearls, 2023; CDC, 2022).