Bordetella pertussis is the causative agent of whooping cough. The disease is characterised by a mild respiratory infection following a 7 to 10 days incubation period. The cough changes character after 1 to 2 weeks and becomes more paroxysmal followed by an inspiratory “whooping” sound. The cough ultimately subsides after 1 to 2 months. Manual culture and plate reading.
Container / Tube
Blue topped wire pernasal swab.
Collection Conditions
To obtain a pernasal sample: using the special flexible wire-shafted swab, gently insert swab into one nostril straight back (not upwards) until it reaches the posterior wall. The distance from the nose to the ear gives an estimate of how far back the swab should be inserted. Do not force the swab. If an obstruction is encountered, try the other one. Rotate the swab a few times, loosening the cells in the mucus cavity and then remove.
Availability
Mon to Sun. 8:30am to 5:00pm.
Send to
Microbiology Department, Centre for Laboratory Medicine, St James’s University Hospital, Beckett Street, ĢtvƵ, LS9 7TF.
Turnaround Time
9 days.
Additional Information
Positive cultures will be referred to the reference laboratory at Colindale for confirmation.
If patients have been started on erythromycin or other macrolides culture is not recommended as yield is reduced. In these instances, blood for Bordatella serology should be taken. In selected patients PCR detection can be discussed with the laboratory.
ID
3620