Bordetella – Respiratory
Specimen Requirements
| Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
Bordetella pertussis |
Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab Sputum (including induced), Tracheal aspirates also acceptable, but NP swab and NP aspirates preferred |
None |
Submission and Collection Notes
Indicate symptoms and date of onset on the General Test Requisition Form if diagnostic testing is required.
Timing of Specimen Collection
Specimens should be collected during the acute phase of illness.
Limitations
The PCR transport medium is colourless. NB: Do not use Multi-organism transport medium which is pink.
Storage and Transport
Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.
Special Instructions
Follow the instructions found in the Bordetella pertussis BP Kit Instruction Sheet. Specimens should be stored at 2-8°C following collection and shipped to PHO laboratory on ice packs. Maximum storage/transit time at 2-8 degrees C is within 5 days of collection.
Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)
Bordetella pertussis testing is performed daily Monday to Friday.
Turnaround time is up to 4 days from receipt by PHO laboratory.
Bordetella – respiratory specimens are tested by a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test that detects Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis and Bordetella holmesii. The PCR is >99% specific, and more sensitive than routine culture.
MyPHO
Don’t have a MyPHO account? Register Now