Bactericidal Antibody in Serum during Infection with Bordetella pertussis

Abstract

Bactericidal antibodies were detected in sera of all 24 persons with bacteriologically confirmed pertussis, 15 of whom had not been immunized. In 10 of the 15 un-immunized persons, increases in concentration of bactericidins were associated with the infection. The development of bactericidal antibody during pertussis may indicate a role in immunity although a mechanism has not been demonstrated.