Test ID BORDG Bordetella pertussis Antibody, IgG, Serum
Useful For
Diagnosis of recent infection with Bordetella pertussis in patients with symptoms consistent with whooping cough for 2 or more weeks
This test should not be used in neonates, young infants or in children between the ages of 4 to 7 years as the routine childhood vaccine schedule may interfere with result interpretation.
This test should not be used as a test of cure, to monitor response to treatment, or to determine vaccine status.
Method Name
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Reporting Name
B. pertussis Ab, IgG, SSpecimen Type
SerumAdvisory Information
This test should be ordered in patients with 2 or more weeks of symptoms consistent with whooping cough. Nucleic acid amplification testing for Bordetella pertussis should be used in patients who have been symptomatic less than 2 weeks; order BPRP / Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies.
Specimen Required
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 30 days | |
Frozen | 30 days |
Clinical Information
Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, is highly contagious and remains endemic in the United States despite the high rate of vaccination. Acute B pertussis infections are typically diagnosed by culture or nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT). However, symptomatic adults and adolescents often seek medical attention later in the course of infection, at which time the sensitivity of these 2 methods to detect the infectious agent decreases. A serologic response to B pertussis is typically mounted 2 weeks following infection, and therefore, detection of IgG-class antibodies to pertussis toxin (PT), which is only produced by B pertussis, can be a useful adjunct for diagnosis at later stages of illness.
Prior to testing, providers should review whether the patient was recently vaccinated using the Tdap (Tetanus-Diphtheria-acellular Pertussis) or DTap vaccines. The acellular pertussis vaccine contains 1 to 5 B pertussis antigens, including filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin, 2 fimbrial agglutinogens, and significant levels of PT. Therefore, recent vaccination for B pertussis, specifically within the last 2 to 6 months, may lead to a positive result by the anti-PT IgG assay, and knowledge of the patient's vaccination history is important for accurate result interpretation.
Reference Values
≥100 IU/mL (positive)
≥ 40-<100 IU/mL (borderline)
<40 IU/mL (negative)
Reference values apply to all ages.
Interpretation
Negative (<40 IU/mL): No IgG antibodies to pertussis toxin (PT) detected. Results may be falsely negative in patients with less than 2 weeks of symptoms.
Borderline (40-<100 IU/mL): Recommend follow-up testing in 10 to 14 days if clinically indicated.
Positive (≥100 IU/mL): IgG antibodies to pertussis toxin (PT) detected. Results suggest recent infection with or recent vaccination against Bordetella pertussis.
Clinical Reference
1. Leber AL: Pertussis: relevant species and diagnostic update. Clin Lab Med. 2014;34:237-255
2. Guiso N, Berbers G, Fry NK, et al: What to do and what not to do in serological diagnosis of pertussis: recommendation from EU reference laboratories. Eur J Clin Microbiolo Infect Dis. 2011;30(3):307-312
3. Andre P, Caro V, Njamkepo E, et al: Comparison of serological and real-time PCR assays to diagnose Bordetella pertussis infection in 2007. J Clin Microbiol. 2008;46(5):1672-1677
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
Thursday; 9 a.m.
Analytic Time
Same day/1 dayTest Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
86615
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
BORDG | B. pertussis Ab, IgG, S | 42330-1 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
BIGG | B. pertussis IgG | 29659-0 |
DEXBG | B.pertussis Value | 42330-1 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.