Pertussistoxoid

Pertussistoxoid is a purified form of the pertussis toxin, which is a key component of the Bordetella pertussis bacterium that causes whooping cough. The pertussis toxin is a potent exotoxin that disrupts cellular processes, leading to the characteristic symptoms of whooping cough, including severe coughing fits, vomiting, and apnea (temporary cessation of breathing). The pertussis toxin is composed of two subunits: the A subunit, which is responsible for the toxic effects, and the B subunit, which acts as a binding protein.

Pertussistoxoid is produced by purifying the pertussis toxin from the B. pertussis bacterium and removing the B subunit. This results in a protein that retains the toxic properties of the A subunit but lacks the ability to bind to host cells. Pertussistoxoid is used as a component of pertussis vaccines to stimulate an immune response against the pertussis toxin without causing disease. It is often combined with other pertussis antigens, such as pertussis filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) and pertactin, to create a more comprehensive vaccine.

Pertussistoxoid is typically administered as part of combined vaccines, such as the DTwP (diphtheria, tetanus, whole-cell pertussis) and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) vaccines. These vaccines are recommended for infants, children, and adolescents to prevent whooping cough and its associated complications. The use of pertussistoxoid in vaccines has significantly reduced the incidence of whooping cough, particularly among infants, and has contributed to the control of this disease in many countries.