Bordetella bronchiseptica

STRUCTURE AND PHYSIOLOGY

B. bronchiseptica is a Gram-negative, aerobic, non-endospore forming coccobacillus. This bacterium is motile and oxidase and catalase positive. 

TRANSMISSION AND DISEASE

The pili of B. bronchiseptica attach to the ciliated epithelium of the respiratory tract. Although a primary pathogen for a wide range of animals, B. bronchiseptica, has been isolated from immunocompromised people and young children. In humans, this microorganism causes pneumonia and symptoms similar to whooping cough.

DISINFECTION

As a non-spore-forming bacterium, B. bronchiseptica is one of the easier-to-disinfect microorganisms on the disinfection hierarchy.

NOTES

This Bordetella strain is commonly found in the respiratory tracts of many animals and is the leading cause of kennel cough for dogs and cats.

REFERENCE(S)

James G. Fox, Glen Otto, DVM and Lesley A. Colby. “Selected Zoonoses: Respiratory Infections.” Laboratory Animal Medicine (Third Edition), Elsevier Inc., 2015. 1349-1350.

Joe Simmons and Susan Gibson. “Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases of Nonhuman Primates.” Nonhuman Primates in Biomedical Research (Second Edition) Volume 2: Diseases, American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, 2012. 105-172.