Aim: To explore the molecular basis of the relationship between Bordetella pertussis infection and sudden death.
Methods: B. pertussis proteins were analyzed for amino acid sequence identity to a set of 67 human proteins that, when altered, have been associated with sudden death.
Results: More than 82,000 pentapeptides are shared between B. pertussis proteins and sudden death-associated antigens.
Conclusion: Results suggest that a possible link between B. pertussis infection and sudden death might be represented by potential immunological cross-reactions occurring between B. pertussis proteins and human proteins associated to sudden death.