Test Order - Bordetella Pertussis Identification or Confirmation

Pre-Approval Required

No

Supplemental Information or Form

1. Pure, viable subculture
2. Completed submittal form with 2 patient identifiers (e.g. name and date of birth), collection date and source, a brief but complete patient history, cultural history and submitting laboratory’s findings
3. Documentation that indicates the role of this isolate in clinical disease
4. Form LAB 446

Performed on Specimens From

None

Acceptable Sample/Specimen Type for Testing

Suspected Bordetella pertussis isolate

Minimum Volume Required

None

Storage & Preservation of Sample/Specimen Prior to Shipping

None

Transport

Tubed agar medium with a secure screw cap, labeled with patient’s name.  Alternatively, blocks of Regan-Lowe or Bordet-Gengou agar may be aseptically be cut from plates and then inserted into tubed agar medium of another type with a secure screw cap.

Sample/Specimen Labeling

None

Shipping Instructions which Include Specimen Handling Requirements

1. Grow isolate under appropriate conditions prior to shipping.
2. Ship at ambient temperature using appropriate DOT/IATA approved shipping procedures.

Test Methodology

As needed - Biochemical testing, species specific slide agglutination, Gene Sequencing by PCR, and/ or MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

Turnaround Time

Two weeks

Interferences & Limitations

Mixed or nonviable culture

Additional Information

Please contact the MDL Vaccine Preventable Pathogens & Molecular Bacteriology Unit (VPP & MBU) for special consideration if any of the above criteria cannot be met.

MDL Points of Contact