Inactivated Bordetella pertussis (wP)

Inactivated Bordetella pertussis is the primary component of whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccines, consisting of Bordetella pertussis bacteria that have been killed, typically through heat or chemical treatment with formaldehyde (WHO, 2015). Unlike acellular vaccines that contain only specific purified proteins, the inactivated whole-cell preparation contains a complex mixture of antigens, including pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin, and fimbriae (CDC, 2022). Its biological function is to stimulate a robust, multifaceted immune response, primarily a Th1 and Th17 profile, which provides protective immunity against pertussis, also known as whooping cough (Warfel et al., 2014). In clinical practice, it is used to prevent infection and reduce the severity of the disease in infants and children (StatPearls, 2023). While highly effective, it is associated with a higher frequency of mild to moderate adverse effects, such as fever and local inflammation, compared to acellular alternatives (PubMed, 2018). The use of whole-cell vaccines remains critical in many parts of the world due to their lower cost and the potential for more durable immunity compared to acellular versions (WHO, 2015).

Other names

Whole-cell pertussisKilled Bordetella pertussisBordetella pertussis (inactivated)wP vaccine component

Induces active immunity by presenting a diverse array of bacterial antigens to the host immune system, leading to the production of neutralizing antibodies and memory B and T cells (WHO, 2015).