Is there a rapid pertussis test?
PCR. PCR is a rapid test and has excellent sensitivity. However, PCR tests vary in specificity. Therefore, you should obtain culture confirmation of pertussis for at least one suspicious case any time there is suspicion of a pertussis outbreak.
What is a PCR test for pertussis?
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an important tool for timely diagnosis of pertussis and is increasingly available to clinicians. PCR is a molecular technique used to detect DNA sequences of the Bordetella pertussis bacterium and unlike culture, does not require viable (live) bacteria present in the specimen.
What are the 3 stages of pertussis?
There are three stages to clinical course of pertussis:
- Catarrhal.
- Paroxysmal.
- Convalescent.
Can pertussis go away without antibiotics?
Pertussis bacteria die off naturally after three weeks of coughing. If antibiotics are not started within that time, they are no longer recommended. Antibiotics can also be given to close contacts of persons with pertussis to prevent or lessen the symptoms.
Is pertussis bacterial or viral?
Pertussis, a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough, is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis.
What antibiotic is used for pertussis?
Antibiotics can prevent and treat whooping cough. Recommended antibiotics include azithromycin, erythromycin and clarithromycin. Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole can also be used.
How long will pertussis last?
Whooping cough (pertussis) is a serious, contagious, respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. The disease begins like a cold and then the characteristic cough develops. This cough may last up to three months, even after antibiotic treatment is completed and the person is no longer infectious.
When is the best time to collect a pertussis specimen?
The same specimen can be used both for culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). With PCR, the most rapid test, the specimen should ideally be collected during the first 3 weeks of illness, but may provide accurate results for up to 4 weeks. Culture has better specificity, but takes up to 7 days to obtain results.
What are the signs and symptoms of pertussis?
Early Symptoms. The disease usually starts with cold-like symptoms and maybe a mild cough or fever. In babies, the cough can be minimal or not even there. Babies may have a symptom known as “apnea.” Apnea is a pause in the child’s breathing pattern. Pertussis is most dangerous for babies.
When does PCR test become sensitive for pertussis?
This is when viable bacteria are still present in the nasopharynx. After the first 2 weeks, sensitivity decreases and the risk of false-negatives increases. PCR is a rapid test and has excellent sensitivity. However, PCR tests vary in specificity.
How long does it take to recover from pertussis?
Recovery from pertussis can happen slowly. The cough becomes milder and less common. However, coughing fits can return with other respiratory infections for many months after the pertussis infection started. . Clin Infect Dis. Epub ahead of print. 2017.
