Pertussis laboratory findings: Difference between revisions
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*Since cultures have high specificity, they particularly useful in confirming the pertussis diagnosis when an outbreak is suspected.<ref name="CDC4">[http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/clinical/diagnostic-testing/diagnosis-confirmation.html Pertussis (whooping coug). Diagnosis confirmation. CDC.gov. Accessed on June 15, 2014]</ref> | *Since cultures have high specificity, they particularly useful in confirming the pertussis diagnosis when an outbreak is suspected.<ref name="CDC4">[http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/clinical/diagnostic-testing/diagnosis-confirmation.html Pertussis (whooping coug). Diagnosis confirmation. CDC.gov. Accessed on June 15, 2014]</ref> | ||
*Obtaining isolates from a culture allows for strain identification of Bordetella pertussis and [[antimicrobial resistance]] testing. | *Obtaining isolates from a culture allows for strain identification of ''Bordetella pertussis'' and [[antimicrobial resistance]] testing. | ||
*Culture is best done from nasopharyngeal specimens collected during the first 2 weeks of cough when viable bacteria are still present in the [[nasopharynx]]. | *Culture is best done from nasopharyngeal specimens collected during the first 2 weeks of cough when viable bacteria are still present in the [[nasopharynx]]. | ||
*The [[bacteria]] can be recovered from the patient only during the first three weeks of illness, rendering culturing useless after this period. | *The [[bacteria]] can be recovered from the patient only during the first three weeks of illness, rendering culturing useless after this period. | ||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
*PCR should be tested from nasopharyngeal specimens taken at 0-3 weeks following [[cough]] onset, but may provide accurate results for up to 4 weeks. | *PCR should be tested from nasopharyngeal specimens taken at 0-3 weeks following [[cough]] onset, but may provide accurate results for up to 4 weeks. | ||
*After the fourth week of [[cough]], the amount of bacterial [[DNA]] rapidly diminishes, which increases the risk of obtaining false-negative results. | *After the fourth week of [[cough]], the amount of bacterial [[DNA]] rapidly diminishes, which increases the risk of obtaining false-negative results. | ||
*PCR assay protocols that include multiple target sequences allow for speciation of Bordetella species. | *PCR assay protocols that include multiple target sequences allow for speciation of ''Bordetella'' species. | ||
*The high sensitivity of PCR increases the risk of false-positivity, but following some simple best practices can reduce the risk of obtaining inaccurate results.<ref name="CDC4">[http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/clinical/diagnostic-testing/diagnosis-confirmation.html Pertussis (whooping coug). Diagnosis confirmation. CDC.gov. Accessed on June 15, 2014]</ref> | *The high sensitivity of PCR increases the risk of false-positivity, but following some simple best practices can reduce the risk of obtaining inaccurate results.<ref name="CDC4">[http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/clinical/diagnostic-testing/diagnosis-confirmation.html Pertussis (whooping coug). Diagnosis confirmation. CDC.gov. Accessed on June 15, 2014]</ref> | ||
===Serology=== | ===Serology=== | ||
*[[Serology]] tests for high concentrations of antibodies against the [[pertussis toxin]] or other components of | *[[Serology]] tests for high concentrations of antibodies against the [[pertussis toxin]] or other components of ''Bordetella pertussis'' | ||
*It is more useful among patients who do not seek medical care until several weeks into the illness.<ref name="CDC4">[http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/clinical/diagnostic-testing/diagnosis-confirmation.html Pertussis (whooping coug). Diagnosis confirmation. CDC.gov. Accessed on June 15, 2014]</ref> | *It is more useful among patients who do not seek medical care until several weeks into the illness.<ref name="CDC4">[http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/clinical/diagnostic-testing/diagnosis-confirmation.html Pertussis (whooping coug). Diagnosis confirmation. CDC.gov. Accessed on June 15, 2014]</ref> | ||
*The [[CDC]] and [[Food and Drug Administration|FDA]] have developed a serologic assay that has been extremely useful for confirming pertussis diagnosis, especially during suspected [[outbreaks]].<ref name="CDC4">[http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/clinical/diagnostic-testing/diagnosis-confirmation.html Pertussis (whooping | *The [[CDC]] and [[Food and Drug Administration|FDA]] have developed a serologic assay that has been extremely useful for confirming pertussis diagnosis, especially during suspected [[outbreaks]].<ref name="CDC4">[http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/clinical/diagnostic-testing/diagnosis-confirmation.html Pertussis (whooping cough). Diagnosis confirmation. CDC.gov. Accessed on June 15, 2014]</ref> | ||
*Several state public health labs have included this assay in their testing regimen. | *Several state public health labs have included this assay in their testing regimen. | ||
*Serologic tests are generally more useful for diagnosis in later phases of the disease. | *Serologic tests are generally more useful for diagnosis in later phases of the disease. | ||
Latest revision as of 23:17, 14 January 2016
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Serge Korjian M.D.; Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]; Rim Halaby, M.D. [3]; Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.; Yazan Daaboul, M.D.
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Pertussis laboratory findings |
Overview
Several laboratory tests may be used to diagnose pertussis. Culture, obtained by nasopharyngeal swab, is considered the gold standard for diagnosis. Other tests that can be performed include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serology.
Laboratory Findings
Nasopharyngeal Swab
- Whenever possible, a nasopharyngeal swab or aspirate should be obtained from all suspected pertussis patients.[1]
- The specimen obtained via the nasopharyngeal swab can be used both for culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- If a culture is planned:
- The nasopharyngeal swab should be plated directly or placed into transport media.[1]
- It should be dispensed and plated within 24 hours of collection.
Culture
- Since cultures have high specificity, they particularly useful in confirming the pertussis diagnosis when an outbreak is suspected.[2]
- Obtaining isolates from a culture allows for strain identification of Bordetella pertussis and antimicrobial resistance testing.
- Culture is best done from nasopharyngeal specimens collected during the first 2 weeks of cough when viable bacteria are still present in the nasopharynx.
- The bacteria can be recovered from the patient only during the first three weeks of illness, rendering culturing useless after this period.
- Despite high specificity, the sensitivity of a culture is low and the risk of false-negatives increases after the first 2 weeks.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
- PCR is a rapid test with excellent sensitivity; however, PCR tests can vary in specificity. It is therefore recommended to obtain culture confirmation for at least one case for any suspicion of a pertussis outbreak.
- PCR should be tested from nasopharyngeal specimens taken at 0-3 weeks following cough onset, but may provide accurate results for up to 4 weeks.
- After the fourth week of cough, the amount of bacterial DNA rapidly diminishes, which increases the risk of obtaining false-negative results.
- PCR assay protocols that include multiple target sequences allow for speciation of Bordetella species.
- The high sensitivity of PCR increases the risk of false-positivity, but following some simple best practices can reduce the risk of obtaining inaccurate results.[2]
Serology
- Serology tests for high concentrations of antibodies against the pertussis toxin or other components of Bordetella pertussis
- It is more useful among patients who do not seek medical care until several weeks into the illness.[2]
- The CDC and FDA have developed a serologic assay that has been extremely useful for confirming pertussis diagnosis, especially during suspected outbreaks.[2]
- Several state public health labs have included this assay in their testing regimen.
- Serologic tests are generally more useful for diagnosis in later phases of the disease.
- For the CDC single point serology, the optimal timing for specimen collection is 2 to 8 weeks following cough onset, when the antibody titers are at their highest.
- Serology may still be performed on specimens collected up to 12 weeks following cough onset.