Special Precautions/Comments:

N.B. If cough has been persistent for >2 weeks, consider sending blood for Bordetella pertussis serology.

Method:  Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella species.  Calibration: – EQA scheme: – IQC: –

Interpretation: Results are reported as NOT detected or DETECTED. A negative result does NOT fully exclude infection.

For further information contact Department of Microbiology, Newcastle Laboratories, Freeman Hospital.

Additional Information:

Background information:  Whooping cough, also known as Pertussis, is a vaccine-preventable disease most commonly caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is highly infectious and can cause serious illness in all ages, with babies, children and pregnant women being of most concern. B. pertussis is transmitted via respiratory pathways (coughing, sneezing) and symptoms typically appear around 7-10 days after exposure. On symptom onset, expect a person to remain infectious for approximately 21 days.

Consider Bordetella pertussis if the patient has had a persistent cough for >2 weeks. Early symptoms may also present with rhinorrhoea, malaise, sore throat, and conjunctivitis. Low grade fever may also be present but this is uncommon and is noticeably absent in later infection. Beyond 2 weeks post-onset symptoms characteristic of whooping cough can occur, this includes nocturnal coughing fits (paroxysms). In children (>3 months of age) this cough can create a “whoop” sound on inspiration.

Keywords: Whooping cough, persistent cough, coughing fit