Bordetella

views updated May 18 2018

Bordetella A genus of bacteria not assigned to a taxonomic family. The cells are small, ovoid, Gram-negative, and non-motile, or motile with many flagella. They are chemo-organotrophic, and can grow only in the presence of air. They are found as parasites and pathogens of the respiratory tract in mammals. (B. pertussis is the causal agent of whooping cough.)

Bordetella

views updated May 21 2018

Bordetella (bor-dĕ-tel-ă) n. a genus of tiny Gram-negative aerobic bacteria. B. pertussis the cause of whooping cough.

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