Bordetella pertussis
(B. pertussis)

Sample type:

Nasopharyngeal swabs or aspirates are the specimens of choice for recovery of B. pertussis.

Test use:

This test checks for Bordetella pertussis antibodies in your blood. B. pertussis are the bacteria that cause pertussis, also called whooping cough. Whooping cough is a highly contagious childhood infection that can also affect adults.

Precautions:

Wearing a surgical mask within 3 feet of the patient provides protection from the spread of pertussis. Often times, close household contacts are the source of the child’s infection; therefore, providers should also wear masks when within 3 feet of symptomatic parents or siblings.

Interfering factors:

The target for the B pertussis PCR reaction, a region of IS481, is also found in Bordetella holmesii. A false-positive result for B pertussis DNA may occur if B holmesii is present in the sample tested.

Pre analytical errors:

Calcium alginate swabs; swabs in noncharcoalcontaining transport media; swabs in Regan-Lowe culture media.

Post analytical errors:

1) Delayed report.

2) You may be instructed not to eat (fast) six hours before the test

Corrective actions:

Be careful during taking the swap from penetrating the mucous.