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Variation of serotype in strains of Bordetella pertussis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

T. N. Stanbridge  and
N. W. Preston
T. N. Stanbridge
Affiliation:
Department of Bacteriology and Virology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT
N. W. Preston
Affiliation:
Department of Bacteriology and Virology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT
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The four main serotypes of Bordetella pertussis (1, 2, 3; 1, 2; 1, 3; 1) undergo spontaneous variation involving loss or gain of antigen 2 or antigen 3. By serial subculture from single colonies on charcoal-blood-agar medium, we have detected loss-mutations from type 1, 2, 3 to 1, 2 or 1, 3, and from type 1, 2 to type 1. Likewise we have found gain-mutations from type 1 to 1, 2 or 1, 3, and from 1, 2 to 1, 2, 3.

These mutations apparently occur with a high frequency in some strains. Other strains have a lower mutation-rate and are more stable antigenically. We have not detected, by this method, either gain- or loss-mutations from the type 1, 3 strains that we have tested.

These findings offer an explanation for the changes in serotype that occur during the course of a pertussis infection in the child and in the marmoset. They also constitute a warning on the possible antigenic instability of laboratory strains, especially relevant in the production, absorption and testing of diagnostic antisera and in the preparation of pertussis vaccine.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 73 , Issue 2 , October 1974 , pp. 305 - 310
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1974

References

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