Final answer:
Bordetella pertussis virulence factors include the pertussis toxin, which disrupts cell signaling, and the tracheal cytotoxin, which damages respiratory epithelial cells. Filamentous hemagglutinin aids in attachment to host cells, all contributing to the disease's infectiousness and characteristic severe cough.
Step-by-step explanation:
The virulent factors of Bordetella pertussis, the bacterium responsible for pertussis or whooping cough, include several key components that contribute to the pathogenicity of the organism. One of the primary virulence factors is the pertussis toxin (PT) which interferes with cell signaling by increasing cyclic adenosine monophosphate (CAMP) levels. This leads to enhanced inflammatory responses and tissue damage. Another critical factor is the tracheal cytotoxin, which damages the ciliated epithelial cells of the respiratory tract, contributing to mucus accumulation in the lungs and promoting colonization by the bacteria.
Additionally, B. pertussis uses filamentous hemagglutinin as an adhesin to attach specifically to respiratory epithelial cells, initiating infection. Secondary infections can occur due to the environment created by the bacteria's virulence factors, exacerbating the severity of the cough that characterizes the infection. Collectively, these factors allow B. pertussis to establish infection, evoke a strong immune response in the host, and enable transmission through the characteristic cough.