How Do You Spell PERTUSSIS TOXINS?

Pronunciation: [pətˈʌsɪs tˈɒksɪnz] (IPA)

Pertussis Toxins is a term used to describe the bacterial toxins responsible for whooping cough. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as follows: /pərˈtʌsɪs tɒksɪnz/. The first syllable "per-" is pronounced with a schwa sound, while the "t" in "toxins" is aspirated, making it sound like "tok-sins". The stress falls on the second syllable, and the final "s" in "toxins" is pronounced as a voiced "z" sound due to syllable stress.

PERTUSSIS TOXINS Meaning and Definition

1. Pertussis toxins are a group of virulence factors produced by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which causes the highly contagious respiratory infection known as pertussis or whooping cough. Pertussis toxins are mainly responsible for the severe symptoms and complications associated with pertussis.

   These toxins consist of several protein components, with the most important ones being pertussis toxin (PT) and adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT). Pertussis toxin is an A-B toxin that consists of a catalytic A subunit and several B subunits that facilitate its binding to host cells. Once inside the body, the toxins are released and target various cells of the immune system, particularly those involved in the body's defense against respiratory infections.

   Pertussis toxins interfere with the normal functioning of immune cells, particularly white blood cells, by inhibiting their movement and communication. This impairs the immune system's ability to recognize and eliminate the invading bacteria, allowing them to persist and cause damage to respiratory tissues. Pertussis toxins also disrupt normal signaling pathways in the body, leading to increased production of mucus in the airways and violent fits of coughing, the characteristic symptom of pertussis infection.

   The presence of pertussis toxins in the body triggers an intense immune response, resulting in inflammation and damage to the respiratory system. This can lead to severe complications, especially in infants and young children, such as pneumonia, seizures, and even death.

   The development of vaccines against pertussis, which contain inactivated or detoxified forms of the pertussis toxins, has been instrumental in preventing and controlling pertussis outbreaks.

Common Misspellings for PERTUSSIS TOXINS

• oertussis toxins
• lertussis toxins
• -ertussis toxins
• 0ertussis toxins
• pwrtussis toxins
• psrtussis toxins
• pdrtussis toxins
• prrtussis toxins
• p4rtussis toxins
• p3rtussis toxins
• peetussis toxins
• pedtussis toxins
• peftussis toxins
• pettussis toxins
• pe5tussis toxins
• pe4tussis toxins
• perrussis toxins
• perfussis toxins
• pergussis toxins
• peryussis toxins

Etymology of PERTUSSIS TOXINS

The word "pertussis" comes from the Latin term "pertussis", which means "violent cough". It is derived from the Latin verb "per" (meaning "very" or "thoroughly") and the verb "tussis" (meaning "cough"). "Toxins", on the other hand, comes from the Latin word "toxicum", which means "poison". Therefore, "pertussis toxins" refers to the poisonous substances produced by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, which causes the highly contagious respiratory infection known as pertussis or whooping cough.