Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 50 Orms St, Providence RI 02904. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory 401-222-5538
Bordetella pertussis & Bordetella parapertussis
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Respiratory pathogen testing is performed using the multiplex real-time PCR using the FDA-cleared BioFire FilmArray Respiratory Panel 2.1 (RP2.1). The performance characteristics of this assay were verified by the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL). For additional information refer to the RISHL Respiratory Panel Specimen Guidance. NOTE: All results for the targets listed in the Pathogen section of the Respiratory Panel Specimen Guidance will be reported.
Results should be used in conjunction with the patient's clinical symptoms, medical history, and other clinical/laboratory findings to determine an overall clinical diagnosis.
NOTE: A negative FilmArray RP2.1 result does not exclude the possibility of viral or bacterial respiratory infection. Detection of microbe targets does not imply that the corresponding microbes are infectious or are the causative agents for clinical symptoms.
Specimens: Nasopharyngeal specimen, right and left sides, collected on polyester or rayon tipped swabs (refer to specimen collection instructions https://health.ri.gov/publications/instructions/CollectionKitForPertussisAndParapertussisPCR.pdf). Cotton tipped and calcium alginate swabs are unacceptable
Submit specimens in 3mL Universal Transport Medium (UTM). Both swabs are to be submitted in one tube.
Store specimens refrigerated at 2-8°C prior to transport. If transport is delayed beyond 3 days after collection, store the specimen frozen at -70° C.
Isolates: Submit freshly growing pure isolates on Regan-Lowe or Bordet Gengou agar plate. Seal plates with parafilm or other barrier film.
CLIA regulations require specimens be labeled with at least two patient identifiers. Examples of identifiers are first and last name, date of birth, chart/medical record number. The specimen container must be labeled to match the test requisition or the electronic order.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Specimens: Bordetella PCR Only (B. pertussis & B. parapertussis only) or Bordetella PCR Respiratory Panel (includes all analytes in the BioFire RP2.1 Panel)
Isolate: Bacterial Isolate. Write "confirm B. pertussis" in Comments/Other Test Requests.
Refrigerated: Transport and deliver to the laboratory within 72 hours of collection at 2-8°C in a cooler able to maintain specimen temperature. A plug-in electric cooler is recommended, however, a cooler packed with excess frozen gel packs is acceptable as long as the transport temperature is maintained at 2-8°C.
Frozen: If specimen previously frozen, it must be transported on frozen gel packs in insulated shipper.
Isolates: At ambient temperature as soon as possible after isolation of suspect colonies.
Specimens must be packaged & transported in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
Only nasopharyngeal specimens are accepted. Specimens must be received within 3 days from collection. Do not use Universal Transport Media past the expiration date.
Negative for Bordetella pertussis.
Negative for Bordetella parapertussis
Providers must report patient information on Pertussis within 4 days using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
PCR: 1 business day.
Kits containing detailed collection instructions, transport media, and nasopharyngeal swabs are available from the RISHL Center for Laboratory Support Services and may be obtained Monday-Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Media must be stored at 2° to 25° C until use. Discard media when expiration date is reached.
Containers specifically labeled for transport of specimens and isolates to the RISHL Special Pathogens & Biothreats Laboratory are available in all Microbiology Laboratories and Laboratory Sendout Departments.