Protective effects of anti-Bordetella pertussisadenylate cyclase antibodies against lethal respiratory infection of the mouse

Abstract

Abstract Experimental respiratory infection of mice with a Bordetella pertussis clone producing and releasing high yields of pertussis toxin and adenylate cyclase was lethal, inducing complete edematous hemorrhagic alveolitis within 48–72 h. By preincubating the challenge inoculum with polyclonal antibodies against the filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA), the pertussis toxin (Ptx), the adenylate cyclase (AC) or a monoclonal anti-AC antibody, we found that only anti-FHA and anti-AC antibodies were protective against the lethal lesions. These results provide direct evidence that B. pertussis AC might be incriminated in the pathogenesis of whooping cough as a major toxin responsible for the local cytopathic syndrome in the respiratory tract.