Pathogenesis of infection with Bordetella pertussis in hamster tracheal organ culture

Hamster tracheal organ culture was employed as a model for study of the pathogenesis of infection due to Bordetella pertussis. Infected tracheal explants were examined with light, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy. B. pertussis organisms preferentially attached to the ciliated cells, producing ciliostasis and marked destruction of the subcellular organelles followed by expulsion of these cells from the epithelial layer. Other nonciliated respiratory epithelial cells appeared to be unaffected. Metabolic studies on infected tracheal cultures indicated that significant deficiencies in synthesis of host cell protein accompanied early cytopathology. Similarities and differences in host cell and parasite interaction were noted between B. pertussis and other pathogenic agents studied in this system.