🧬 The Bordetella Genus: A Complete Overview
Bordetella is a genus of gram-negative bacteria that primarily infect the respiratory tracts of mammals and birds. Although there are several recognized species, the two most clinically significant are:
- Bordetella bronchiseptica — affects animals (dogs, cats, pigs, rabbits)
- Bordetella pertussis — affects humans (whooping cough)
Other species like B. parapertussis and B. avium are occasionally pathogenic in certain hosts, but rarely lead to widespread disease.
📚 Why It Matters
Understanding Bordetella means understanding:
- Zoonotic risk (or lack thereof)
- Vaccine formulation
- Appropriate antibiotic therapy
🔬 B. bronchiseptica vs. B. pertussis
| Feature | B. bronchiseptica | B. pertussis |
|---|---|---|
| Host | Dogs, cats, pigs, rabbits | Humans |
| Disease | Kennel cough (CIRD) | Whooping cough (pertussis) |
| Vaccine available? | Yes (oral, nasal, injectable) | Yes (DTaP, Tdap) |
| Zoonotic? | Rare, mostly in immunocompromised | No (host-restricted) |
| Common symptoms | Dry cough, sneezing | Intense cough, “whoop” |
While genetically similar, they diverged in host adaptation and toxin expression. B. pertussis has evolved into a highly human-adapted pathogen, losing motility and other traits that B. bronchiseptica retains.
📜 A Timeline of Pertussis Through History
- 1578: First described outbreak of whooping cough in Paris.
- 1906: Bordetella pertussis isolated by Bordet and Gengou.
- 1940s: Whole-cell vaccines introduced.
- 1990s: Acellular DTaP vaccines become standard.
- 2000s–2020s: Resurgence in adolescents due to waning immunity and lower vaccine uptake.
📌 Fun fact: In 1909, Charles Nicolle found that B. bronchiseptica could infect rabbits — laying groundwork for modern veterinary Bordetella research.
🐶 Why Kennel Cough Isn’t Just Bordetella
While B. bronchiseptica is a core component of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD), it often co-infects with viruses like:
- Canine parainfluenza virus
- Canine adenovirus type 2
- Canine respiratory coronavirus
The Takeaway:
Kennel cough is a syndrome, not a single disease — which is why vaccines and treatment plans must target multiple pathogens.
🧠 Summary
Whether you’re a dog owner, vet, or shelter worker, understanding the foundations of Bordetella empowers you to:
✅ Recognize key symptoms early
✅ Choose the right vaccines and timing
✅ Prevent outbreaks with appropriate isolation and disinfection protocols
Stay tuned for our next post in the series: Intranasal vs Injectable Bordetella Vaccines – Which Is Best for Your Pet?