Whooping cough is a highly contagious, acute respiratory disease, caused by the Gram-
negative bacterium Bordetella pertussis (Bp). Despite the introduction and widespread use
of vaccines starting in the 1950s pertussis cases continue to be reported, with a significant
global impact. The role of specific virulence factors in disease and the immune mechanisms
associated with protection following natural infection or vaccination are still not completely
understood. The recently-developed baboon model of clinical pertussis provides a valuable …