Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a respiratory infection that causes a persistent cough that may affect all age groups.
The serology of a pertussis infection is significantly improved by the detection of antibodies directed against molecules that are produced by Bordetella bacteria, like pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) and various lipopolysaccharides (LPS). These compounds appear in the serum upon infection or vaccination. PT is specific for Bordetella pertussis, whereas FHA is produced by Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis. Nearly all acellular vaccines licensed in Europe contain substantial amounts of PT and FHA. Therefore, over 90% of immune responses are directed against PT and FHA.