Sign In
Skip to content

Testing Menu: Bordetella pertussis

Testing site: Alaska State Public Health Laboratory

  • Anchorage (907-334-2100)

Disease(s): Whooping cough

Organism(s):Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis

Test Method: PCR

Specimen Collection:

  • NP swab (COPAN) in sterile dry tube. 
  • Specimens submitted in the swab’s paper sleeve or in viral or universal transport media (VTM, UTM) will be rejected for testing.  

Storage/Transport:

  • Ship specimen immediately at ambient temperature.
  • Refrigerate PCR swab, if possible, until shipped.

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

A normal result is not detected.

Turnaround Time: 1-4 days

Collecting Nasopharyngeal Swabs for Pertussis Testing

Supplies Needed:

  • Dacron/Polyester Nasopharyngeal Swab (Fisher # 14-906-23, 22-209-50, 23-600-952, 23-600-955 or VWR # 95041-316).  NO cotton or calcium alginate swabs will be accepted.
  • Anchorage Lab Request Form

Collection Instructions (see https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMvcm2010260 for additional information):

  • The nasopharyngeal (NP) swab used for collecting this sample type has a fine wire or plastic shaft.
  • One NP swab is collected for PCR as described below.
  • Remove mucus from the patient’s nose.
  • Carefully open package containing the NP swab and remove swab for sample collection.
  • Tilt the patient’s head back 70 degrees.
  • Gently and slowly insert the NP swab through the nostril parallel to the palate (not upwards) until resistance is encountered or the distance is equivalent to that from the ear to the nostril of the patient, indicating contact with the nasopharynx.
  • Gently rub and roll the swab.  Leave swab in place for several seconds to absorb secretions.
  • Slowly remove swab while rotating it. Specimens can be collected from both sides using the same swab, but it is not necessary to collect specimens from both sides if the NP swab is saturated with fluid from the first collection.
  • Place the NP swab back into a sterile tube.
  • Clearly label the sterile tube containing the swab with patient’s name and date of birth (i.e., two identifiers).
  • Complete the Anchorage Lab Request Form.

Transport:

  • Place the sterile tube containing the NP swab in the specimen biohazard bag and seal. Place the completed Anchorage Lab Request Form in the outside pouch.
  • Package as a Biological Substance Category B specimen and send to the Anchorage State Public Health Laboratory as soon as possible. If needed, hold the specimen at 4°C until transport. Ship at ambient temperature.