Bordetella pertussis toxin (PT) Antibody (IgG), Im

The Bordetella pertussis toxin (PT) Antibody (IgG), Im test contains 1 test with 1 biomarker.

Brief Description: The Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody test is a laboratory test used to detect and measure the presence of specific antibodies in the blood that are produced in response to an infection or vaccination against the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. This bacteria is the causative agent of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory disease.

Collection Method: Blood Draw

Specimen Type: Serum

Test Preparation: No preparation required

When and Why the Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody Test May be Ordered

Healthcare providers may order the Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody test:

1. To confirm a recent or past infection of pertussis in a patient, especially in cases where the clinical symptoms are suggestive of whooping cough.
2. To determine if someone has gained immunity against pertussis through vaccination or previous infection.
3. In the case of an outbreak, to ascertain who might have been exposed or is potentially immune.

What the Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody Test Checks For

This test specifically checks for the presence and levels of IgG antibodies against the toxin produced by Bordetella pertussis. If the body has been exposed to the bacteria, either through infection or vaccination, it produces these antibodies as a part of its immune response.

Other Lab Tests Ordered Alongside the Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody Test

When a Bordetella Pertussis Toxin IgG Antibody test is ordered, it's often part of a broader evaluation of a suspected pertussis infection or to confirm immunity. Here are some tests commonly ordered alongside it:

1. Bordetella Pertussis PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction):

   • Purpose: To detect the DNA of Bordetella pertussis.
   • Why Is It Ordered: PCR is a highly sensitive and specific test used to diagnose current pertussis infection, especially useful in the early stages of the disease when bacterial DNA is present in higher quantities.

2. Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential:

   • Purpose: To evaluate overall blood health.
   • Why Is It Ordered: To check for leukocytosis (high white blood cell count), which can occur in response to pertussis infection.

3. Serum Electrolytes:

   • Purpose: To measure levels of key electrolytes in the blood.
   • Why Is It Ordered: To assess for electrolyte imbalances, which can occur after prolonged coughing spells and vomiting associated with pertussis.

These tests, when ordered alongside a Bordetella Pertussis Toxin IgG Antibody test, provide a comprehensive evaluation of a suspected pertussis infection. They are crucial for accurately diagnosing pertussis, assessing the severity of the infection, monitoring potential complications, and guiding treatment decisions. The specific combination of tests will depend on the individual’s symptoms, clinical presentation, and medical history.

Conditions or Diseases that Require the Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody Test

The primary condition that would necessitate this test is:

• Pertussis (Whooping Cough): Characterized by severe coughing fits followed by a "whooping" sound during the intake of breath. The condition is especially severe and can be fatal in infants.

Usage of Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody Test Results by Health Care Providers

Healthcare providers interpret the results as follows:

• Positive Result: Indicates that the patient has been exposed to Bordetella pertussis either through infection or vaccination. If the patient has clinical symptoms consistent with whooping cough and tests positive, it's likely a recent infection.

• Negative Result: Suggests that the patient hasn't been exposed to the bacteria or that the exposure was too recent for antibodies to have developed (as it can take 1-2 weeks post-exposure for antibodies to appear).

Doctors use the results in conjunction with clinical symptoms and other laboratory findings to diagnose, manage, and potentially treat pertussis. If used for public health reasons during an outbreak, the results can also guide vaccination or prophylaxis strategies.

Most Common Questions About the Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody test:

Purpose and Indications for the Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody Test

Why is the Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody test ordered?

The Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody test is typically ordered when there's a suspicion that an individual has been infected with the bacteria responsible for whooping cough, which is Bordetella pertussis. Detecting IgG antibodies specific to the toxin helps confirm a past infection or determine immunity status.

What does the Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody test help diagnose?

The test helps diagnose whooping cough, or pertussis, especially in cases where symptoms are prolonged or atypical. While other tests can detect active infections, the IgG antibody test can indicate a past infection or successful vaccination.

Interpreting the Results

What do positive results in the Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody test indicate?

A positive result indicates that the individual has IgG antibodies against Bordetella pertussis toxin, suggesting either a past infection or a response to the vaccine. It implies immunity against the bacteria, although immunity might wane over time.

How is the Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody test result used alongside other diagnostic tests for pertussis?

The Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody test provides information about past exposure or vaccination. For diagnosing an active infection, a culture or PCR test for Bordetella pertussis would be more appropriate. Together, these tests give a comprehensive picture of a patient's pertussis status.

Follow-up and Treatment

If the Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody test results are positive, but the person has never shown symptoms, what does it mean?

A positive result in someone without symptoms might mean they were asymptomatically infected in the past or that they have received a pertussis vaccine. The antibodies are an immune response to either the natural infection or the vaccine.

How do results from the Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody test influence vaccination recommendations?

Positive results indicating immunity might mean that a booster vaccine is not immediately needed. However, given that immunity to pertussis wanes over time, periodic boosters are typically recommended, especially for certain populations like healthcare workers or those in contact with infants.

Disease Monitoring and Complications

Can the Bordetella pertussis toxin IgG Antibody test be used to monitor the effectiveness of a vaccine?

Yes, the test can be used to monitor the immune response after vaccination. A detectable level of IgG antibodies post-vaccination suggests an effective immune response. However, the level of antibodies will decline over time, which is why boosters are needed.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.