The present invention relates to a recombinant genetically attenuated
Bordetella strain expressing a
hybrid protein comprising the N-terminal fragment of filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) and a
heterologous epitope or
antigenic protein or
protein fragment, different from FHA, wherein the
gene coding for the native FHA
protein is inactivated. The
Bordetella strain is preferably a
Bordetella pertussis strain, but may also be another Bordetella species, such as
Bordetella bronchiseptica, Bordetella parapertussis or Bordetella avium. The invention further provides a life
attenuated vaccine for the treatment of a mucosal or systemic infectious
disease comprising a Bordetella strain as defined above intended to elicit a immune response against pathogens responsible for systemic or mucosal infections, including of the upper or lower
respiratory tract. The present invention also relates to a method for prophylaxis of an infectious
disease in a
mammal, comprising administering to said
mammal an effective amount of a vaccine comprising in a suitable vehicle a recombinant attenuated Bordetella strain expressing a
fusion protein comprising the N-terminal fragment of filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) and a
heterologous epitome or
antigenic protein or
protein fragment, different from FHA, wherein the
gene coding for the native FHA protein is inactivated.