What is the Difference Between Bordetella Pertussis and Parapertussis?

Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis are two closely related bacteria that cause whooping cough (pertussis) in humans. They produce similar virulence factors, but there are some differences between them:

1. Severity of illness: B. parapertussis generally causes a milder and shorter-lasting illness compared to B. pertussis. The symptoms of B. parapertussis infection, such as prolonged cough, paroxysmal cough, whoop, and vomiting, occur less frequently and for a shorter duration than those typically seen with pertussis.
2. Pertussis toxin: B. pertussis produces pertussis toxin, which is a major virulence factor specific to that bacterium. B. parapertussis does not secrete pertussis toxin.
3. Incidence: It is estimated that 1% to 35% of known Bordetella infections are caused by B. parapertussis. In an immunized population, B. parapertussis infections were found to be as common as B. pertussis infections in children before school entry, while B. pertussis infections were more common than B. parapertussis infections in schoolchildren and adults.
4. Age distribution: B. parapertussis generally causes disease in a younger age group than B. pertussis. In one study, the mean age of patients with B. parapertussis was 3.8 years, whereas the mean age of those with B. pertussis was 15.6 years.
5. Immunological differences: Despite a high degree of homology between B. pertussis and B. parapertussis, no cross-protection was observed, meaning that infection with one bacterium does not provide protection against the other.

In summary, B. pertussis and B. parapertussis are both responsible for causing whooping cough, but they differ in the severity of the illness, the presence of pertussis toxin, the incidence of infection, the age distribution of patients, and their immunological distinctness.

Comparative Table: Bordetella Pertussis vs Parapertussis

Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis are two closely related bacterial species that cause pertussis, a respiratory illness characterized by severe coughing episodes. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:

Despite their differences, both B. pertussis and B. parapertussis are aerobic, small nonmotile, Gram-negative coccobacilli that cause pertussis. The illness typically begins with cold-like symptoms, progresses to severe coughing paroxysms, and ultimately evolves into a convalescent stage.