Whooping Cough and Bordetella Pertussis

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to whooping cough and Bordetella pertussis as discussed in the lecture notes.

Bordetella pertussis

The microbe that is the primary source of whooping cough in humans.

R0

The basic reproduction number indicating the average number of secondary infections caused by one infected individual; for whooping cough, it is between 5-15.

Catarrhal stage

The initial stage of whooping cough that resembles a common cold and is often unrecognized.

Paroxysmal stage

The second stage of whooping cough characterized by intense coughing fits which can produce a 'whoop' sound.

Convalescent stage

The recovery phase of whooping cough that can last for weeks, often resulting in a lingering cough.

Virulence factors

Characteristics of Bordetella pertussis, such as pertussis toxin and tracheal toxin, that contribute to its ability to cause disease.

Paroxysm

A sudden attack or violent expression of a particular emotion or activity, particularly related to coughing fits in whooping cough.

Acellular vaccine

The type of pertussis vaccine used today, which contains only parts of the Bordetella pertussis bacterium rather than the whole cell.

DTaP

The combination vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis, first used in the mid-1940s.

Vaccine hesitancy

The reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccination services, often influenced by concerns about side effects.

Efficacy of the pertussis vaccine

The ability of the vaccine to prevent disease; it does not provide lifelong immunity, requires boosters, and does not completely prevent infection.

Mortality rate of whooping cough

Historically, influenced by the availability of vaccines and treatment options; demonstrated a drop from thousands of deaths pre-vaccine to significantly fewer cases post-vaccine.

Cyanosis

A condition characterized by bluish discoloration of the skin due to a lack of oxygen, which can occur from severe coughing fits.

Conjugate vaccine

A vaccine that combines antigens from different pathogens to improve immune response, relevant to vaccines like DTP.

TDaP

A booster vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis given every 10 years to maintain immunity.

Diagnostic tests

Tools and procedures developed to detect infections such as pertussis earlier, contributing to better management and reduced mortality.

Pertussis toxin

A virulence factor produced by Bordetella pertussis that inhibits the functioning of white blood cells.

Tracheal toxin

A virulence factor that damages the cilia of the respiratory tract, contributing to obstructed airways.

100-day cough

Another name for whooping cough, emphasizing the long duration of the cough experienced during the disease.

Immunity

The protection against infection, which in the case of pertussis, is not lifelong and wanes over time.

Boosters

Additional doses of a vaccine given after the primary vaccination series to enhance or prolong the immune response.