Pertussis PCR

Testing site      

Alaska State Public Health Laboratory – Anchorage 

Anchorage Lab Request Form 

Diseases 

Whooping cough 

Organisms 

• Bordetella pertussis 
• Bordetella parapertussis 

Test Method 

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) 

Availability

• Routine testing 
• Testing is not recommended for patients treated with antibiotics ≥ 5 days as false negative results may occur. 

Specimen type 

Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab in sterile dry tube.  

Specimen collection instructions 

• A Dacron or polyester nasopharyngeal swab is required.   
• Recommended products include:  
  • Fisher #  
    • 14-906-23 
    • 23-600-952 
    • 23-600-955 
  • VWR # 95041-316 
  • or comparable products
• NO cotton or calcium alginate swabs will be accepted. 
• Refer to CDC instructions (including video) 

Instructions 

1. The nasopharyngeal (NP) swab used for collecting this sample type has a fine wire or plastic shaft. One NP swab is collected for PCR. 
2. Remove mucus from the patient’s nose. 
3. Estimate the distance to the nasopharynx. Prior to insertion of the swab, measure the distance from the corner of the nose to the front of the ear and insert the shaft ONLY half this length. 
4. Carefully open package containing the NP swab and remove swab for sample collection. 
5. Immobilize the patient’s head. Have the patient sit with head against a wall as there is a tendency to pull away during this procedure. 
6. Gently insert the swab along the medial part of the septum, along the base of the nose, until it reaches the posterior nares. Gently rotating the swab may be helpful in insertion. If resistance is encountered, try the other nostril, as the patient may have a deviated septum. 
7. Leave swab in place in nasopharynx for 10 seconds or gently rotate 3 times to acquire columnar epithelial cells and remove swab. 
8. Place the NP swab back into tube. 
9. Clearly label the tube containing the swab with patient’s name and collection date. 
10. Complete the Anchorage Lab Request Form. 

Storage and transport  

• Place NP swab in the Ziploc portion of a specimen transport bag and seal. Place the completed Anchorage Lab Request form in outside pouch. 
• Package as a UN3373 Biological Substance Category B specimen according to all current shipping regulations and send to the State Public Health Laboratory-Anchorage as soon as possible. 
• Refrigerate PCR swab (4°C), if possible, until shipped. 
• Ship specimen immediately at ambient temperature. 

Ship to: Anchorage Public Health Laboratory, ATTN: Special Pathogens

Results  

• B. pertussis DNA: Detected/Not Detected  
• B. parapertussis DNA: Detected/Not Detected 

A normal result is not detected. 

Turnaround time  

PCR: 1-4 days (Testing performed on Tuesday and Friday) 

Resources