Researchers have generated a mouse model of pertussis, commonly called whooping cough, sufficiently replicating the persistent cough symptom. By studying various bacteria mutants and observing the cough response in the mice, the team identified three bacterial factors named pertussis toxin, Vag8, and lipooligosaccharide that work together to induce the cough reflex. Their research provides the elusive data needed to develop specific treatments for whooping cough.
