Species of the Bordetella genus are the causative agents of pertussis or whooping cough. World-wide, pertussis still kills between 200,000 and 400,000 children each year, and the disease still ranks highly among the causes of death due to infection. World-wide, pertussis still kills between 200,000 and 400,000 children each year, and the disease still ranks highly among the causes of death due to infection. Some members of the genus cause diseases in other mammals and in birds.

Bordetella bacteria are small (0.2 - 0.7 μm), Gram-negative coccobacilli. They are obligate aerobes and are highly fastidious and difficult to culture.

1. Microbial Toxins
2. Microbiology books

Labels: brief notes, pertussis, whooping cough