Bordetella
Whopping cough is a highly communicable respiratory infection and therefore is an disease of public health interest. Whooping cough can last for many weeks and is typically manifested in children with paroxysmal spasms of severe coughing, whooping and posttussive (after coughing spell) vomiting. In the United States, 5,000 to 7,000 cases are reported each year. The illness is caused by
Bordetella pertussis, a small, anerobic gram-negative rod that is fastidious and requires special media for isolation. Pertussis testing requires collection of a nasopharyngeal aspirate or swab. Special media must be inoculated immediately following specimen collection. The Bureau of Laboratories offers
Bordetella pertussis culture and PCR testing.
Pertussis Testing Specimen Collection and Shipping Instructions
Specimen Submission Form
Bureau of Laboratories Specimen Submission Form
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Information on the Use of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for Diagnosing Pertussis
PCR Best Practices for Health Care Professionals
New NP Swab and Aspirate Collection Videos
More Information on Diagnostic Testing
Distinguishing Clinical Features of Pertussis