Bordetella pertussis Culture and DFA Culture

Bordetella pertussis Culture and DFA Culture

1. Obtain collection pack from microbiology, Meyer B1-111, 5-6510.
2. Allow the transport medium (Jones-Kendrick or Regan-Lowe) to equilibrate to ambient temperature.
3. Use two swabs on a flexible wire handle to collect the specimen. One swab is used to inoculate the transport medium. The other swab is used to prepare the smears for the DFA test. (Calcium alginate swabs cannot be used for PCR testing.)
4. Seat the patient comfortably. Tilt the head back.
5. If available, insert a nasal speculum. Press the swab through the nares until resistance is met due to contact with the nasopharynx.
6. Rotate the swab gently and allow the swab to maintain contact with the nasopharynx for 20-30 seconds or until coughing is induced.
7. Place the swab into the transport medium. Label the tube with the patient's name and identification number. Leave the swab embedded in the tube during transport.

Bordetella pertussis DFA Stain:

1. Repeat the procedure with the second swab. Gently roll the swab onto two double-well fluorescent microscope slides. Label both slides with the patient's name, identification number, and the date.
2. Transport the slides (placed in a microscope slide mailer) at ambient temperature.

 Bordetella pertussis PCR:

1. Preferred specimen is nasal wash or dry swab. Do not use calcium alginate.
2. Transport immediately.