bordetella pertussis define
Pertussis is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. In the 20 th century, pertussis was one of the most common childhood diseases and a major cause of childhood mortality in the United States.ertussis is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. In the 20 th century, pertussis was one of the most common childhood diseases and a major cause of childhood mortality in the United States.