Florida Bureau of Public Health laboratories

Bordetella – Culture/PCR

Stool clinical specimens are inoculated and identified by MALDI-TOF.

Analyte(s)

B. pertussis, B. parapertussus, and B. holmseii

Test Code

2810

Testing Location

Jacksonville Laboratory

Testing Department

Microbiology

Pre-approval Required?

Yes,
Requires prior approval from epidemiology. Contact the local county health department (CHD) to start the process for approval.

Required Forms

BPHL Test Requisition, DH1847
(not needed if orders are placed by electronic order)

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Supply Ordering

Supplies may be requested from your servicing laboratory. Supplies ordered from the BPHL should only be used for specimen sent to the BPHL for testing.

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Turn Around time

3 business days after receipt at the laboratory

Minimum Volume

Swab in 1 mL of media

Collection Media

Amies Elution swab (Eswab) collection system. Use only nylon tipped swabs with flexible shafts.

Specimen Sources

Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs

Specimen Labeling

Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers, e.g., name and DOB.

Information on the specimen must match the requisition and/or test order. 

Special SPecimen Preparation

None.

Storage Conditions

Store specimens at 2 – 8o C until time of shipment. Specimens must arrive at the laboratory within 48 hours of collection.

Packaging and Shipping

Insert NP swab in E-swab transport medium and ship overnight at 2-8°C (not frozen) within 24 hours of collection to the laboratory.

Include paperwork with specimens but separate them physically by placing the paperwork in the outer pocket of the biohazard bag.

unsatisfactory specimen

1) Specimens received greater than 48 hours after collection
2) No patient identification on specimen tube
3) Patient identifiers on the specimen do not match the requisition or test order
4) Specimen damaged or leaked in transit
5) Specimen received outside the acceptable temperature range

Interferences and Limitations

Note: Culture alone have low sensitivity compared to PCR.

This assay has been validated for nasal respiratory specimens. Other specimen types may be tested only by special request from the state of Florida epidemiologists

Reference Range

Negative: Not detected

Result Indicator

Positive: Identification of B. pertussis, B. parapertussus, or B. holmseii

Negative: Not detected

Reference lab

CDC

Reflex testing

Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) if possible

Additional InforMATION

There is no restriction for provider to submit specimens for primary testing to BPHL.

There is also no requirement for testing lab to submit positive sample to BPHL for confirmation