DRP008060
Bordetella pertussis antigen deficiency
During infection, Bordetella pertussis produces many virulence factors such as pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), pert actin (PRN) and fimbriae (FIM). Antibodies against these proteins are expected to protect infection or illness, and the current acellular pertussis vaccines (ACVs) include inactivated PT and the various combination of adhesins. Meanwhile, antigen deficiency of B. pertussis clinical isolates has been reported mainly from the countries which introduced ACVs. In this project, we determine the genetic mechanisms of lacking antigen production.