Bordetella pertussis Antibody, IgG, Serum
Use
This test is used for the diagnosis of recent infection with Bordetella pertussis in patients with symptoms consistent with whooping cough for 2 or more weeks. It is specifically suitable for patients who have not had the acellular pertussis vaccine or booster in the last 6 months. Bordetella pertussis is the causative agent of whooping cough, and despite high vaccination rates, it remains endemic in the United States. A serologic response to B pertussis is typically mounted 2 weeks after infection, making the detection of IgG-class antibodies to pertussis toxin a useful adjunct for diagnosis at later stages of illness.
Special Instructions
This test should not be used in neonates, young infants, or children between 4 to 7 years as the routine childhood vaccine schedule may interfere with result interpretation. It should not be used as a test of cure, to monitor response to treatment, or to determine vaccine status. Providers should review the patient's recent vaccination history with Tdap or DTap vaccines as recent vaccination for B pertussis within the last 2 to 6 months may lead to a positive result.
Limitations
The immune response following vaccination cannot be distinguished from recent infection. Bordetella parapertussis will not be detected by this assay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) or culture as first-line tests for B pertussis infection. However, serologic testing may be useful in patients who are symptomatic for more than 2 weeks. Accurate interpretation requires consideration of clinical symptoms, patient's age, and vaccination history alongside serological results.
New York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (ELISA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 42330-1
- 29659-0
- 42330-1
Result Turnaround Time
1-7 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Container
Plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial. Use Serum gel as the preferred container or red top as acceptable.
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis, gross lipemia, gross icterus, and heat inactivation are causes for rejection.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 30 days |
| Frozen | 30 days |