Bordetella pertussis detection - nasopharyngeal secretions
Last updated: Friday, 19, March, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | Nasopharyngeal aspirate or swab; aspirate is preferred. PCR testing may be performed on a throat swab (check with local laboratory). |
| Method | Culture, nucleic acid probe after PCR amplification. |
| Application | Suspected pertussis. |
| Interpretation | A positive result confirms a clinical diagnosis of whooping cough. Nucleic acid detection after PCR amplification is more sensitive than culture. Testing is usually negative if symptoms have been present for more than one month. |
| Reference | Farrell DJ et al. J Clin Microbiol 1999; 37: 606-610. |