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Pernasal swab for whooping cough (Bordetella Pertussis)

Requesting and what to tell us:

  • ICE Microbiology: Pernasal swab c&s
  • Sunrise (SCM): Bordetella pertussis PCR or Pernasal swab – whooping cough
    culture.

Specify sample site, clinical details date of onset and any recent antibiotic treatment.

Background

  • If symptomatic for less than 3 weeks then the sample is suitable for culture and can be referred for PCR testing too. If cough has persisted for greater than 3 weeks culture/PCR is unlikely to be helpful, please send a clotted blood for pertussis serology.

Pertussis test methods

From Pertussis brief for healthcare professionals October 2013 Revised May 2018 © Crown copyright 2018. View source.

  • A pernasal swab with a thin flexible wire shaft must be used for culture. These can be ordered from Pathology Stores. Culture sensitivity declines after the first two weeks of illness.
  • A nasopharyngeal in viral transport medium is suitable for PCR testing alone and is useful in community settings.
  • Pertussis (Whooping cough) is a notifiable disease. Click for notification form.
  • Also consider testing for other respiratory pathogens as appropriate.

See also

Sample requirements

Pernasal charcoal transport swab

Pernasal charcoal transport swab

Viral transport swab

viral swab tube

Collection method

Pernasal Sampling

  • Seat the patient, looking upwards with the neck fully extended
  • Insert the pernasal swab through a nostril and advance along the floor of the nose until it reaches the nasopharynx.
  • It has been suggested that the swab be held against the posterior nasopharynx for up to 30 seconds or until the patient coughs. In practice, it is more likely that a patient will only be able to tolerate this for a few seconds.
  • Remove the swab and plunge into transport tube

Required information

  • Relevant clinical details
  • Date of onset
  • Recent, current and intended antibiotics

Storage and transport

  • Store and transport at room temperature.
  • Transport to laboratory without delay.

Turnaround

  • Culture up to 7 days
  • PCR 1-2 days

The information given here is intended for use by healthcare professionals. Please see Lab Tests Online-UK for more general advice, links and background.

MIUI-112


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