PRJNA667582
Emergence of pertactin-deficient Bordetella pertussis isolates in Spain.
Pertussis resurgence had been attributed to waning vaccine immunity and Bordetella pertussis adaptation to escape vaccine-induced immunity. Pertactin-deficient strains are highly prevalent in countries that use acellular vaccines (ACV), suggesting strong ACV-imposed selection of circulating bacteria. To corroborate this hypothesis in our geographical area, we provide pertussis epidemiologic data and molecular characterization of B. pertussis isolates from Spain, during 1986-2019.