Whooping cough, or pertussis, once ranked among the leading causes of childhood death in the U.S. and globally before vaccines were introduced in the 1940s. The bacterial disease had been nearly eradicated in the United States, with annual deaths reduced to double digits.
However, the disease has resurged in recent years due to declining vaccine coverage, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2024, several outbreaks caught hospitals and public health officials off guard, overwhelming systems with infant patients, many of whom were too young to be vaccinated and suffered severe symptoms.
Targeting the Toxin: New Breakthrough from UT Austin
Against this alarming backdrop, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have made critical progress toward improving pertussis vaccines. Scientists from UT’s McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Molecular Biosciences have zeroed in on one of pertussis’s most dangerous weapons: the pertussis toxin (PT).
PT weakens the immune response and drives the most severe symptoms of whooping cough. The UT team, using advanced cryo-electron microscopy, identified two powerful antibodies—hu11E6 and hu1B7—that neutralize PT in distinct ways:
- Hu11E6 blocks PT from attaching to human cells by targeting its sugar-binding sites.
- Hu1B7 stops PT from entering cells and causing internal damage.
This is the first time researchers have precisely mapped the toxin’s vulnerable sites (epitopes), providing a valuable blueprint for future vaccine design.
A Blueprint for Better Vaccines
Professor Jennifer Maynard, the study’s corresponding author, emphasized the real-world application of the discovery.
“Our findings could be incorporated into future vaccine versions quite easily, improving overall effectiveness and longevity of protection.”
She noted that innovations such as mRNA technology and genetically engineered versions of PT (PTgen) could preserve and utilize these neutralizing epitopes. By training the immune system to focus on these critical areas, researchers aim to create longer-lasting and more effective vaccines.
From Prevention to Treatment: Dual Promise of Antibodies
As reported by theprint, beyond guiding vaccine development, hu1B7 and hu11E6 show promise as therapeutic treatments, especially for high-risk infants. Previous studies by Maynard’s team demonstrated that these antibodies can prevent the lethal effects of pertussis.
UT researchers are actively seeking partnerships to develop therapies that could prevent lung damage and death in newborns exposed to the disease.
The 100-Day Cough: Why Pertussis Is So Dangerous
Caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, whooping cough is infamous for its violent, prolonged coughing fits. These episodes can lead to pneumonia, seizures, and even death, especially in infants. Often called the “100-day cough,” the disease can linger for months. Severe cases may also leave survivors with permanent brain and lung damage.
Modern acellular vaccines, which contain purified components of the bacteria like PT, have dramatically reduced pertussis cases. However, their effectiveness fades after just two to five years.
Outbreaks on the Rise Worldwide
Recent outbreaks highlight the urgency of innovation. In the fall of 2024, New York City reported a 169% increase in whooping cough cases compared to 2023. Since 2019, U.S. cases have surged by 500%. Australia is experiencing its largest outbreak since vaccines were introduced in the 1940s, with over 41,000 cases this year alone.
Public health experts attribute these spikes to missed vaccinations and booster doses, especially during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Confronting the Challenge of Vaccine Hesitancy
While scientific advances are encouraging, they face social hurdles. Vaccine hesitancy remains a significant barrier, particularly among pregnant women. According to the CDC, while over 90% of U.S. kindergarteners are fully vaccinated against pertussis, less than 60% of pregnant women receive the booster.
Professor Annalee W. Nguyen, a co-author of the study, stressed the importance of prevention:
“It’s always easier to prevent disease in a high-risk person. Once someone is extremely ill, their immune system isn’t functioning well, and it’s harder to help them recover.”
Vaccinating mothers during pregnancy can pass on antibodies to their babies, offering critical protection until the child is old enough for routine vaccines. Parents can continue to shield their children by ensuring timely vaccinations and boosters.
Toward a Stronger, Smarter Vaccine Strategy
By focusing on neutralizing epitopes—the toxin’s most vulnerable spots—researchers hope to develop vaccines that offer stronger, longer-lasting protection. These improvements could help rebuild public trust in pertussis vaccination and stop the disease’s resurgence in its tracks.
As science advances, the path to eradication becomes clearer—but only if society moves with it.