Scientific Publications by FDA Staff

Clin Vaccine Immunol 2016 Nov 4;23(11):842-50

Highlights of the 11th International Bordetella Symposium: from basic biology to vaccine development.

Carbonetti NH, Wirsing von Konig CH, Lan R, Jacob-Dubuisson F, Cotter PA, Deora R, Merkel TJ, van Els CA, Locht C, Hozbor D, Rodriguez ME

Pertussis is a severe respiratory disease caused by infection with the bacterial pathogen Bordetella pertussis The disease affects individuals of all ages but is particularly severe and sometimes fatal in unvaccinated young infants. Other Bordetella species cause diseases in humans, animals and birds. Scientific, clinical, public health, vaccine company and regulatory agency experts on these pathogens and diseases gathered in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 5 to 8 April 2016 for the 11th International Bordetella Symposium to discuss recent advances in our understanding of the biology of these organisms, the diseases they cause and development of new vaccines and other strategies to prevent these diseases. Highlights of the meeting included pertussis epidemiology in developing nations, genomic analysis of Bordetella biology and evolution, regulation of virulence factor expression, new model systems to study Bordetella biology and disease, effect of different vaccines on immune responses, maternal immunization as a strategy to prevent newborn disease, and novel vaccine development for pertussis. In addition, the group approved formation of an International Bordetella Society to promote research and information exchange on Bordetellae and to organize future meetings. A new Bordetella.org website will also be developed to facilitate these goals.