Division Laboratory Criteria

At least one of the following three:

1. (i)

   Isolation of Bordetella pertussis from a clinical specimen

2. (ii)

   Detection of Bordetella pertussis nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

3. (iii)

   Bordetella pertussis specific antibody response

Direct diagnosis (i)-(ii): Bordetella pertussis and its nucleic acid are best isolated/detected from nasopharyngeal samples.

Indirect diagnosis (iii): if possible ELISA should be performed using highly purified Pertussis Toxin and WHO reference sera as a standard. Results need to interpreted according to pertussis vaccination status. If vaccinated within the last few years before specimen collection, the titre of specific antibodies against Bordetella pertussis toxin may be a consequence of, or modified by, previous vaccination.