Bordetella pertussis as a trigger of migraine without aura

This report describes a 10-year-old child in whom the clinical and serologic appearance of pertussis coincided with new-onset migraine without aura. The child's mother, who had a history of migraine, also complained of exacerbation of symptoms and was found to be positive for Bordetella pertussis. The migraine improved in both mother and child concomitant with the clinical improvement of symptoms of the pertussis infection. The possible molecular basis of pertussis as a trigger for migraine is discussed.