Bordetella pertussis

Bordetella pertussis

Whooping Cough, Pertussis

Microbiology

PCR PERT

Nasopharyngeal Swab

Bordetella pertussis transport media that has been obtained from the laboratory

Nasopharyngeal Specimen Collection:

• Patients head should be inclined from vertical to about 70%
• Insert flexible nasopharyngeal swab into one nostril.
• Press the swab tip on the mucosal surface of the mid-inferior turbinate.
• Rub swab back and forth about 5 times. Leave swab in place for a few seconds to absorb material.
• Withdraw swab and insert immediately into the transport media.
• Break swab shaft at score line and cap vial tightly.
• Label and transport to lab as soon as possible.

Note:

• Rule of thumb to determine when swab is placed properly:
• insert swab one-half the distance from the tip of the nose to the tip of the earlobe.

Daily

As growth is detected and identified the information is made available to the health care provider.

After collection refrigerate the specimen.

Off Site, Referral Laboratory