What Role Does Pertussis Toxin Play in Vaccine Development?
Pertussis toxin is a critical component of acellular pertussis vaccines. These vaccines contain inactivated pertussis toxin, along with other components of the Bordetella pertussis bacterium, to elicit an immune response without causing disease. The development of acellular vaccines has significantly reduced the incidence of whooping cough compared to the older whole-cell vaccines, which were associated with more side effects. Understanding the structure and function of pertussis toxin has been essential in formulating these safer vaccines.
