Bordetella is a genus of small (0.2 - 0.7 µm) coccobacilli of the phylum proteobacteria. Bordetella species are strict aerobes as well as highly fastidious. Three species are human pathogens (B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, B. bronchiseptica); one of these (B. bronchiseptica) is also motile.

B. pertussis and occasionally B. parapertussis cause pertussis or whooping cough in humans, while B. bronchiseptica is the causative agent in infectious bronchitis. Several other species cause similar disease in other mammals, and in birds (B. avium, B. hinzii).

See also

• Kennel cough

References

Burkholderiales | Dog health | Cat health

Bordetellen | Bordetella | Bordetella