Bordetella pertussis PCR (Molecular Microbiology)

General information

Specimen type and collection container:

• Nose and/or throat swab (virus transport medium)
• BAL/Sputum (sterile container)
• NPA (Sterile container)

Specimen transport: Ambient or refrigerated

Minimum volume of sample: Minimum volume 500µL

Special precautions: None known

Laboratory information

Measurement units: Threshold cycle (CT)

Turn round time to final result (working days): 3-4 days

Clinical information

Clinical decision points: Not applicable

Factors known to significantly affect the results: All samples are suitable for overnight refrigeration only, they must not be stored over a weekend

False negative results may occur for a variety of reasons, for example inappropriate timing of sample collection, inappropriate sample, presence of virus below the detectable limit of the assay. New and emerging variants may also occur which may not be detected by this assay. Towards the limit of detection of an assay sampling variation will result in lower reproducibility.

 

(Last reviewed October 24th 2017)