Bordetella pertussis antibodies, IgA, IgG, and IgM

Pertussis tests are used to detect and diagnose a Bordetella pertussis infection, commonly known as whooping cough, a highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract. Early diagnosis and treatment may lessen the severity of symptoms and help limit spread of the disease.

Blood test for pertussis antibodies, IgA, IgG, IgM – these blood tests detect antibodies produced by the body’s immune response to a pertussis infection. Antibody testing is not useful to determine if a person has had a recent pertussis infection. Pertussis IgG antibodies will be present in anyone who has been vaccinated. Pertussis IgM and IgA antibodies will usually only be present a short time after vaccination or infection.

These tests may be performed in a research setting to evaluate and study the spread of pertussis in the community. Rarely, an antibody test may be performed to evaluate the adequacy of a person’s immune response to a pertussis vaccine.

  • Sample of blood serum
  • We perform the test every Wednesday