Specimen Collection
As of
Monday 4th March 2013
culture for Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough or pertussis, will no longer be offered by LabPlus.
This decision has been after a review of the number of requests per year for culture and the yield from culture. PCR is between twofold and sixfold more sensitive than culture and is the diagnostic method of choice. B. pertussis PCR is performed by the Virology Department. The preferred specimens are a nasopharyngeal aspirate or swab. A plastic-shafted flocked swab should be used to sample the nasopharynx. It should be placed in universal transport medium.
For DNA (PCR) assay or serology, please see:
Bordetella PCR
Bordetella serology
Contact Information
Dr Sally Roberts
, Microbiologist:
ext 22705
Cellphone
021 674 140
Dr Sharmini Muttaiyah
, Microbiologist:
ext 22700
Cellphone
021 615 892
Dr Mary de Almeida
, Microbiologist:
ext 22700
Cellphone
021 170 9117
Dr Matthew Blakiston
, Microbiologist: contact via Lablink