Ordering Recommendation

CDC-recommended first-line tests for pertussis are Bordetella pertussis/parapertussis by PCR (0065080) and/or Bordetella pertussis Culture (0060117). However, if serology is used to assess late-stage pertussis (>4 weeks), this is the recommended test.

New York DOH Approval Status

Testing is not New York state approved. Specimens from New York clients will be sent out to a New York state-approved laboratory.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum separator tube.

Specimen Preparation

Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.3 mL) Parallel testing is preferred, and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens. Mark specimens plainly as "acute" or "convalescent."

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Bacterially contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, icteric, lipemic, or turbid specimens.

Remarks

New York State Clients: There are no NY approved tests available for the IgM component of this assay. NYSDOH will not approve NPL requests for IgM.

Stability

After separation from cells: Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)
New York State Clients: Ambient: 1 week; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 month

Methodology

Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/Qualitative Immunoblot

Performed

Tue, Fri

Reported

1-5 days

Reference Interval

Test Number
Components
Reference Interval
  B. pertussis Ab, IgA by ELISA 1.1 IV or less
  B. pertussis Ab, IgG by ELISA 1.04 IV or less

Interpretive Data

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes.


Component Interpretation
Bordetella pertussis Antibody, IgA by ELISA 0.9 IV or less: Negative - No significant level of detectable Bordetella pertussis IgA antibody.
1.0-1.1 IV: Equivocal - Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful.
1.2 IV or greater: Positive - IgA antibody to Bordetella pertussis detected, which may indicate a current or past exposure/immunization to B. pertussis.
Bordetella pertussis Antibody IgG by ELISA 0.94 IV or less: Negative - No significant level of detectable B. pertussis IgG antibody.
0.95-1.04 IV: Equivocal - Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful.
1.05 IV or greater: Positive - IgG antibody to B. pertussis detected, which may indicate a current or recent exposure/immunization to B. pertussis.

Compliance Category

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Note

If Bordetella pertussis Antibody, IgA by ELISA is 1.2 IV or greater, then Bordetella pertussis IgA Immunoblot testing will be added; if Bordetella pertussis Antibody, IgG by ELISA is 1.05 IV or greater, then Bordetella pertussis IgG Immunoblot testing will be added. Additional charges apply.

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

86615 x2; if reflexed, add 86615 for each Immunoblot

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
2001770 B. pertussis Ab, IgA by ELISA 42328-5
2001782 B. pertussis Ab, IgG by ELISA 42330-1
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • B. pertussis Abs panel reflex
  • Pertussis Antibody
  • Pertussis IgA and IgG Abs reflex to immunoblot
Bordetella pertussis Antibodies, IgA and IgG by ELISA with Reflex to Immunoblot