The role of pertussis toxin in clinical manifestations of pertussis

Pertussis is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis ( B. pertussis ). In recent years, the resurgence of pertussis has once again drawn widespread attention from the academic community and society at large. The pathogenicity of B. pertussis depends on multiple virulence factors, among which pertussis toxin (PT) is widely recognized as its core virulence factor. PT, with its unique AB 5 structure and ADP-ribosylase activity, broadly disrupts host cell signal transduction. However, the specific role of PT in the complex pathogenic mechanisms of pertussis remains incompletely understood. This review systematically summarizes the molecular structural characteristics and mechanisms of action of PT, with a particular focus on its potential role in the typical and unique clinical manifestations and severe complications of pertussis.