Case Study 1

A 64-year old male with fever, malaise, and cough.

Nothing of clinical significance is isolated when the bronchial lavage fluid is cultured on blood agar plates. However, the organism grows well on charcoal yeast extract agar with blood.
Despite antimicrobial and supportive therapy, the patient subsequently develops multiorgan failure and dies after a protracted course.

Question 4 of 6

Which organism caused this disease?

C.	Bordetella pertussis Bordetella pertussis is an uncommon cause of bronchopneumonia, but usually has an acute course unlike the one described in this case. Furthermore, as the patient has been vaccinated (DPT) he is probably immune to infections caused by Bordetella pertussis.