| abstract |
A mutated Bordetella strain comprising at least: (a) a mutated pertussis (ptx) toxin gene, in which the S1 portion of said mutated ptx gene encodes a toxin, which is enzymatically inactive but not immunologically affected, (b ) a deleted dermonecrotic (dnt) gene or a mutated dnt gene, wherein said mutated dnt gene is mutated by point mutation or by insertion of a genetic sequence or plasmid that disrupts the open reading frame of the dnt gene, and wherein said gene mutated dnt encodes an enzymatically inhibited DNT protein, and (c) an E. coli ampG gene that replaces the Bordetella ampG gene, where said strain expresses less than 5% residual TCT activity. |