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.

From Pertussis brief for healthcare professionals October 2013 Revised May 2018 © Crown copyright 2018 Link here

• 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

• Bordetella pertussis antibodies

Sample requirements

Pernasal charcoal transport swab

Viral transport swab

Collection method

• 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