Emerg Infect DisEmerging Infect. DisEIDEmerging Infectious Diseases1080-60401080-6059Centers for Disease Control and Prevention3966391ET-200410.3201/eid2004.ET2004EtymologiaEtymologiaEtymologia: PertactinPertactinAddress for correspondence: Ronnie Henry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Mailstop E03, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; email: boq3@cdc.gov42014204633633Keywords: etymologiapertactinBordetella pertussisbacteriavirulence factoradhesiontracheal epithelial cellsneutrophil-mediated clearancepertussis vaccinesPertactin [per-takʹtin]
From per- (pertussis) + tactus (Latin, “to touch”), pertactin is a virulence factor of Bordetella pertussis that promotes adhesion to tracheal epithelial cells and resistance to neutrophil-mediated clearance and is a component of acellular pertussis vaccines. Pertactin-negative B. pertussis has been reported in several countries, and its prevalence in the United States has increased in recent years. However, evidence suggests that other components of current pertussis vaccines provide protection against pertactin-negative strains.
Suggested citation for this article: Etymologia: Pertactin. Emerg Infect Dis [Internet]. 2014 Apr [date cited]. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2004.ET2004
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