Pyruvic acid

Bordetella sp. DNA (pertussis and parapertussis)

Clinical significance

The genus Bordetella includes 7 speciesów, including the human pathogenic B. pertussis (whooping cough bacillus) and B. parapertussis (pseudorabies bacillus). These bacilli have a special affinity for the epithelial cells of the respiratory system, causing disease in humans and animals. B. pertussis is pathogenic only to humans and causes pertussis (whooping cough). B. parapertussis causes diseases with a similar course to pertussis, but a much milder clinical picture. Pertussis bacilli are not invasive (they do not enter the blood). The most important pathogenic factor of Bordetella pertussis is the protein pertussis toxin (pertussigen), whichóra causes cellular dysfunction, stimulates lymphocytes, causes hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) by increasing insulin synthesis, and potentiates the body's sensitivity to histamine and serotonin, which can lead to anaphylaxis. Pertussis is a childhood disease, but can also occur in adults. Infection occurs via the droplet route. The disease lasts 6 - 8 weeks, and there are three periods in the course of the disease: non-emergent, paroxysmal coughing and recovery. The most dangerous symptom is paroxysmal cough combined with cyanosis and breathlessness. Lymphocytosis and hypoglycemia occur during this period. Infectiousness is very high, especially during the non-infectious period and at the onset of paroxysmal cough. Complications of pertussis in adults include pneumonia and otitis media.

Patient preparation

Material: nasopharyngeal swab