Immunobiological properties of circulating Bordetella pertussis strains: Candidate strains for production of pertussis vaccines

INTRODUCTION. One of the reasons for increased pertussis cases is the pathogen adapting to the existing collective immunity formed under conditions of vaccine prophylaxis. Monitoring immunobiological properties of Bordetella pertussis strains is necessary to track changes in the pathogen adaptive potential triggered by vaccination.

AIM. This study aimed to compare immunobiological properties of isolated circulating Bordetella pertussis strains and strains used to produce whole-cell pertussis vaccine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study used nine isolates of modern circulating strains of B. pertussis. Experimental series of whole-cell pertussis vaccine was made using strains iso­lated from the patients with pertussis in 2016–2020. The series was evaluated by the following parameters: serological properties and antigenic structure (serotypes); haemagglutinating, haemolytic, and dermonecrotic effect; virulence; residual toxicity and protective properties. The study used outbred and inbred F1 mice (C57Bl/6J×CBA) and evaluated morphological and cultural properties of the bacteria. Experimental data were compared with the requirements for production strains set out in the local guidelines MUK 4.2.2317-08 (Selection, testing and storage of production strains of pertussis, parapertussis and bronchisepticosis bacteria).

RESULTS. Strains 16-16 and 33-18 were obtained from nine isolates of circulating B. pertussis strains meeting the requirements for production strains. The assessment results of protective activity for strains 25-16, 37-18, and 2-20 were analysed and showed the necessity of further confirming this value due to the limited experimental material. Four B. pertussis strains, 31(2)-17, 28(1)-18, 25-16, and 2-20, did not show the required protective activity (<8 IU/mL).

CONCLUSIONS. The properties of isolates 16-16 and 33-18 of B. pertussis meet all the requirements for production strains. The test strains have a modern genotype and are prospectively applicable as candidates for replacing obsolete B. pertussis strains in production of pertussis vaccines.

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