The problem of epidemiology, laboratory diagnosis and specific prophylaxis of pertussis remains to be relevant because the level of the morbidity rate of this infection ‘managed’ by vaccination is rising, despite the wide coverage of immunization of the child population. Knowledge of the distribution and the course ofpertussis infection, Bordetella pertussis strains circulating in modern conditions, factors of pathogenicity of the causative agent and mechanisms of pathogenesis of the disease is important as wellfor medical students as for physicians ofvarious specialties - not only pediatricians, but also therapeutists, pulmonologists, microbiologists, epidemiologists and etc. It is worth to consider principles of laboratory diagnosis of pertussis and difficulties to which the laboratory service is faced at this as well as the comparative characteristics of traditional and express methods for diagnosing of pertussis infection - possible and regulated for implementation by basic bacteriological labotories in the territory of Russian Federation. Fundamentals of pertussis vaccination as the only effective means for prevention of mass outbreaks of this disease are also considered in the framework of the proposed lecture.