Question 11 - Single Best Answer
What is/are the major virulence factor(s) of B. pertussis?
A) toxin, FHA (filamentous hemagglutinin), tracheal cytotoxinCorrect.
Yes - all three of these contribute significantly to pathogenesis of whooping cough in different ways. Pertussis toxin causes systemic effects (lymphocytosis, neurological, among others), FHA is an adhesin, tracheal cytotoxin (TCT) destroys the ciliated epithelium predisposing to further respiratory problems.