Q. Lecture Whooping Cough Bordetella pertussis is causative agent of whooping cough. Describe the stages of whooping cough and the associated steps in infection. Where and how do the organisms colonize its host? Explain the model systems for studying B. pertussis infection. What are the advantages or disadvantages of each? B. pertussis produces a diversity of virulence factors. What B. pertussis virulence factors are associated with adherence? What evidence has been presented to support the role of these molecules in adherence? Illustrate the structure and function of the toxins produced by B. pertussis. B. pertussis virulence genes are regulated by a series of regulatory elements. What are environmental signals involved in regulating virulence gene expression? What is the dissimilarity between vag and vrg genes? How are BvgS and BvgA involved in regulation of virulence genes? What is a phase variation in B. pertussis and what causes it?