Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacteria Bordatella pertussis. It is characterized by classic paroxysms (spasms) of uncontrollable coughing, followed by a sharp intake of air which creates the characteristic "whoop" from which the name of the illness derives.

B. pertussis is uniquely a human pathogen (a disease causing agent, such as a bacteria, virus, fungus, etc.) meaning that it neither causes disease in other animals, nor survives in humans without resulting in disease. It exists worldwide as a disease-causing agent, and causes epidemics cyclically in all locations.

B. pertussis causes its most severe symptoms by attacking specifically those cells in the respiratory tract which have cilia. Cilia are small, hair-like projections that beat constantly, and serve to constantly sweep the respiratory tract clean of such debris as mucus, bacteria, viruses, and dead cells. When B. pertussis interferes with this...