Neonatal immunization with a single dose of recombinant BCG expressing subunit S1 from pertussis toxin induces complete protection against Bordetella pertussis intracerebral challenge.

The currently used pertussis vaccines are highly efficacious; however, neonates are susceptible to whooping cough up to the sixth month. In agreement, DTP-immunized neonate mice were not protected against intracerebral challenge with Bordetella pertussis. Neonate mice immunized with either DTP or a recombinant-BCG strain expressing the genetically detoxified S1 subunit of pertussis toxin do not show a humoral immune response against PT.