Bordetella pertussis is an aerobic, Gram-negative coccobacillus bacterium. It does not form spores and is not motile and usually contains a capsule. Its preferred temperature for growing is between 35 and 37°C. Under the microscope, it is identified by its rod-like cell shape and short, oval dimensions. During a blood agar culture test for this particular bacterium, the sample tends to take 3 to 6 days to form a pinpoint-sized colony. B. pertussis appears to affect only the human species, therefore identifying humans as the sole host and reservoir. It has multiple virulence factors that allow it to be an aggressive pathogen.B. pertussis has several virulence factors, mainly involving proteins that have been divided into 2 main classifications: adhesions and toxins. The adhesion category is composed of: filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA), fimbriae (FIM) and pertactin (PRN). FHA is a very large surface protein and helps B. pertussis attach to the host cell. FIMs are surface appendages, a common finding in other bacteria. However, these appendages contain a factor called agglutinogens, which is used to serotype this bacterium.1 PRN has been shown to take on a defense role, fighting off any neutrophils that might come to the rescue. As stated above, the other classification of B. pertussis virulence factors is that of toxins, consisting of adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT), pertussis toxin (PT), and tracheal cytotoxin (TC). ACT is actually a pretty important virulence factor for this bacterium. It works by injecting itself into the host cell, where it increases cAMP rates. This causes cessation of phagocyte function and can trigger apoptosis in selected cells.1 The exact role of PT is not yet fully understood, but it has emerged... halfway through the article... e.g. of whooping cough each year4 ; this number has dramatically decreased since vaccinations against this disease were implemented in the healthcare system. As science has shown, B. pertussis is a stealthy and relentless bacterium. Using only the human species as a reservoir and host choice, its various virulence factors allow it to be successful in infecting individuals. The devastating disease it causes, whooping cough or whooping cough, continues to be a global problem today. Although this bacterium provides resistance to regular antibiotics, a special family of antibiotics known as macrolides can be used as a treatment option. However, the best practice to protect yourself from this sample is to undergo the recommended vaccinations. As society advances, the field of science continues to seek new options to make B. pertussis a matter of the past.