Bordetella pertussis vaccine antigens (Pertussis toxin, Filamentous hemagglutinin, Pertactin, Fimbriae) (PT/FHA/PRN/FIM)

Bordetella pertussis antigens, including pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), pertactin (PRN), and fimbriae (FIM), are the primary components of modern acellular pertussis vaccines (CDC, 2022). Pertussis toxin is an AB5-type exotoxin that disrupts host cell signaling via ADP-ribosylation of G proteins, while FHA, PRN, and FIM are critical adhesins that facilitate the attachment and colonization of the bacterium to the human respiratory epithelium (UniProt, 2023; PubMed, PMID: 25135307). In vaccine formulations, PT is detoxified into a toxoid to maintain immunogenicity without toxicity (WHO, 2015). These antigens work together to elicit a protective immune response, primarily through the production of IgG antibodies that neutralize the toxin and prevent bacterial adherence (PubMed, PMID: 10506077). Despite their success in reducing the incidence of whooping cough, challenges such as waning immunity and the emergence of pertactin-deficient strains have been observed in highly vaccinated populations (CDC, 2020).

Other names

Acellular pertussis antigensBordetella pertussis virulence factorsPertussis toxinFilamentous hemagglutininPertactinFimbriae type 2 and 3PTXFHAPRNFIM2/3

Induction of active immunity through the production of neutralizing antibodies (IgG) and memory B and T cells against Bordetella pertussis virulence factors, thereby preventing bacterial colonization and neutralizing the systemic effects of the pertussis toxin (PubMed, PMID: 10506077; CDC, 2022).