What is the suspected organism in a nonimmunized child with cough and flu-like symptoms when a gram-negative coccobacillus is cultured from several media?

What is the suspected organism in a nonimmunized child with cough and flu-like symptoms when a gram-negative coccobacillus is cultured from several media?

• A. A. Haemophilus influenza
• B. B. Bordetella pertussis
• C. C. Haemophilus parainfluenzae
• D. D. Bordetella bronchiseptica

Answer: (B)

The suspected organism in this case is Bordetella pertussis, which is known to cause whooping cough, especially in nonimmunized children. The symptoms described, such as a persistent cough and flu-like symptoms, align with the clinical presentation of whooping cough. Bordetella pertussis is a gram-negative coccobacillus that can be cultured from various media designed to enhance its growth. This pathogen is particularly notable in nonimmunized populations where vaccination rates are low, leading to outbreaks of whooping cough. The characteristic cough is often paroxysmal, and flu-like symptoms may precede the hallmark cough, making it a strong suspect in this scenario. In contrast, other organisms, although they share some similarities, are less likely to present in this specific context. For instance, Haemophilus influenzae typically causes different respiratory infections and is less associated with the classic whooping cough symptoms. Haemophilus parainfluenzae, while also a coccobacillus, is generally linked to less severe upper respiratory tract infections. Bordetella bronchiseptica, although a member of the same genus, primarily affects animals and is associated with kennel cough. Therefore, the combination of a

The suspected organism in this case is Bordetella pertussis, which is known to cause whooping cough, especially in nonimmunized children. The symptoms described, such as a persistent cough and flu-like symptoms, align with the clinical presentation of whooping cough.

Bordetella pertussis is a gram-negative coccobacillus that can be cultured from various media designed to enhance its growth. This pathogen is particularly notable in nonimmunized populations where vaccination rates are low, leading to outbreaks of whooping cough. The characteristic cough is often paroxysmal, and flu-like symptoms may precede the hallmark cough, making it a strong suspect in this scenario.

In contrast, other organisms, although they share some similarities, are less likely to present in this specific context. For instance, Haemophilus influenzae typically causes different respiratory infections and is less associated with the classic whooping cough symptoms. Haemophilus parainfluenzae, while also a coccobacillus, is generally linked to less severe upper respiratory tract infections. Bordetella bronchiseptica, although a member of the same genus, primarily affects animals and is associated with kennel cough. Therefore, the combination of a