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Bordetella pertussis / parapertussis NAA

Whooping cough, PCR, Paroxysmal, Cyanosis, Post-tussive vomiting

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6861

Department

Microbiology

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab using the liquid Amies Eswab (green cap) transport system.

NOTE: Specimens collected in viral transport medium (i.e. M4-RT, M5, UVT, UTM) cannot be tested for Bordetella pertussis or Bordetella parapertussis. Similarly, samples collected in liquid Amies cannot be tested for respiratory viruses.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Maintain specimens refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: NP swab in liquid Amies transport medium, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Rejection Criteria

• Frozen specimens.
• Specimens received in Amies transport media with charcoal or Amies gel transport media.
• Specimens received in viral transport media (UVT, UTM, M4-RT, etc.).
  

In-Lab Processing

Maintain specimens refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) prior to testing.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 5 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory

Performed

Monday – Sunday.
Results available in 24-48 hours.

Reference Range

Negative: Bordetella pertussis / parapertussis DNA. Not detected. 

Test Methodology

Nucleic Acid Amplification (FDA Approved).

Interpretation

A negative result does not exclude the presence of inhibitors in the patient specimen or Bordetella pertussis / parapertussis DNA concentrations below the level of detection by the assay. This assay may cross-react with B. holmesii and B. bronchiseptica.

Clinical Utility

This assay aids in the diagnosis of B. pertussis / parapertussis infection. This test has not been evaluated for monitoring treatment of B. pertussis / parapertussis infections.

Clinical Disease

Patients with Bordetella pertussis / parapertussis present with a mild upper respiratory infection that can progress to a severe cough with a characteristic whoop that is followed by vomiting. The disease caused by B. parapertussis is usually milder than that caused by B. pertussis. B. pertussis / parapertussis may last from 6 to 10 weeks in uncomplicated cases. This disease is particularly severe in children less than one year old and those who are improperly vaccinated. 

Epidemiology

Humans are the only known hosts of Bordetella pertussis / parapertussis. In the U.S., adolescents and adults are the major sources of disease spread. Widespread active immunization for B. pertussis in the U.S. has lowered the morbidity and mortality rates. Pertussis can occur at any age but it is most often diagnosed in young children. Thirty-eight percent of the cases reported to the CDC occurred in infants younger than 6 months; 71% occur in children younger than 5 years. 

Incubation Period

6 to 20 days, usually 7 to 10 days.

Transmission

Close contact via respiratory secretions.

Reference

1. Hewlett EL. Bordetella Species: In Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles & Practice of Infectious Diseases, 6^th ED. copyright 2005 Elsevier, Inc. pp: 2701-2708.
2. American Academy of Pediatrics. Pertussis. In: Peter G, ed. (1994) Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 23rd ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 1994:355-367.

CPT Codes

87798
LOINC: Bordetella pertussis 43913-3, Bordetella parapertussis 42588-4

Contacts

Last Updated

1/8/2024