Pertussis pathophysiology

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Occurs through direct contact with the aerosolized mucus of infected persons, usually during coughing and sneezing. The bacterium adheres to the ciliated epithelium of the nasopharynx, and proliferates in the lower respiratory system. In a small number of cases, the bacteria may move further to the pulmonary alveoli, causing Bordatella pneumonia. The bacteria does not however cross the respiratory epithelium to the bloodstream, and therefore sepsis is not seen.