A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
| Department: | Microbiology/Immunology |
| Specimen Required: |
SST Tube – acute specimen as early as possible in the illness and convalescent sample 2 – 3 weeks after onset |
| Note: |
The test of choice for diagnosing Whooping Cough in its early stages is PCR from a nasopharyngeal swab. Beyond 3 weeks of symptoms, the organisms are seldom detected so serology must be relied upon. High levels of IgG antibody are moderately predictive of recent (<6/12) infection with or vaccination for Bordetella pertussis. IgA testing enables diagnosis of additional cases and is considered to reflect mucosal infection rather than vaccination. Low levels of antibody may be detectable for several years due to boosting by related antigens in Haemophilus influenzae and Bordetella parapertussis. |
