Collection Instructions

Collection of specimen and use of Kit

1. Warm tube media to room temperature prior to specimen collection.
2. Collect specimen by passing swab through the nostril into the nasopharynx, inducing a cough.  Leave swab in nasopharynx approximately 5-10 seconds.           NOTE: There is about 95% recovery of the organisms in the first week of illness, decreasing to about 50% in the fourth week.  Isolation attempts are seldom successful after 48 hours of antibiotic treatment. 
3. Immediately after collection, push the swab into the tube media.
4. Place the inoculated medium into the transport container, properly labeled, with accompanying requisition completed. 
5. Transport to CVMC Laboratory ASAP. (Refrigerate until transported)
6. Testing will be performed at the Vermont State Lab.  Burlington, Vermont.

Fluorescent smears for B. pertussis and B. parapertussis are no longer offered.