Unexpected isolation of Bordetella pertussis from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Abstract

We isolated Bordetella pertussis from three patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who underwent diagnostic bronchoscopy for evaluation of respiratory symptoms. The B. pertussis isolates were recovered from medium (charcoal-yeast extract agar) formulated to enhance recovery of Legionella spp., and one of the isolates stained positively with antisera directed against Legionella spp.