From the 04 March 2024 Canterbury Health Laboratories (CHL) will no longer perform serology for the detection of antibodies to B. pertussis . Pertussis serology testing does not have the robustness required to be a reliable diagnostic path in acute disease.
In the event of an acute illness due to either pathogen, B. Pertussis and B.parapertussis, PCR testing is the test of choice.
In rare circumstances when serology may be required, please contact a microbiologist to discuss the case. There may be an option to have the test performed at a reference laboratory in NZ or overseas and we are happy to facilitate this if clinically indicated.
When considering testing for Bordetella Pertussis, PCR is the test of choice during the acute stages of pertussis infection, up to 4 weeks after the onset of symptoms.
Bordetella Pertussis Serology is not used for immune status. The presence of B. pertussis IgG is not a reliable indicator for a patient’s immune status and should not be used in this context. We do not process samples for Bordetella immunity status. Where immune status is needing to be assessed, immunisation history and/or booster immunisation is recommended.
Serology will no longer be performed from 4th March 2024 .
Microbiology - Serology
BORD
Bordetella IgG is not recommended for immune status testing.
Pertussis serology
Whooping cough serology
7 days
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