Bordetella Pertussis/Parapertussis PCR

Performing Lab: Central Lab

2662

Sunquest: BPPAR

Nasopharyngeal swab (Liquid Stuart flex aluminum wire)

Nasopharyngeal swab collected on a rayon swab with an aluminum wire shaft in Amies transport media without charcoal or Stuart’s transport media without charcoal. Keep at room temperature and transfer to Central Laboratory in next available re-route.

Room temperature

Room temperature: 7 days

E Swabs.
Culturette other than the swab indicated. Alginate swabs and wooden shaft swabs cannot be used. Nasal, nose, nares, sputum specimen or throat swab are not acceptable.

Monday - Friday

1 business day

A positive result may be obtained from non-viable organisms. This test should not be used for Test of Cure. It is uncertain how long non-viable organisms persist following antibiotic therapy. A negative result does not negate the presence of the organism, as they may be present in levels below the detection limit of the assay. Reliable results are also dependent on adequate specimen collection, transport and absence of inhibitors. Primers and probes are specific for the gene target of Bordetella pertussis and cross-reaction of the IS481 gene has been observed with Bordetella holmesii. The clinical data shows that PCR proves to be more sensitive and specific method for Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis detection than culture. If a culture is requested, notify the provider that PCR testing is preferred. Nasopharyngeal aspirate or wash, eswab, orange top NP wire shaft with Amies with charcoal are sent out to reference laboratory, Quest, Test 11365, order code for Sunquest BPPC, be sure to put in correct specimen description.

Negative

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It is a highly contagious disease involving the respiratory tract. The clinical data shows that PCR proves to be more sensitive and specific method for Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis detection than culture.