Special Precautions/Comments:

N.B. Serology is recommended if cough has been persistent for >2 weeks.

This test may be useful in assessing late stage (> 4 weeks) B. pertussis infection but is not suitable for the assessment of immune status.

Interferences: Recent vaccination can impact test results.  For children <1 years old or those having received recent primary DPT immunisations please consider sending for B. pertussis PCR testing instead.

Method: Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the determination of Anti-pertussis toxin (PT) IgG antibody levels. Calibration: – EQA scheme: – IQC: –

Interpretation: In the absence of recent vaccination, Anti-pertussis toxin (PT) IgG antibody levels >70 IU/ml are consistent with recent infection.

For further information contact UKHSA Colindale, Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit (RVPBRU).

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