Bordetella pertussis, B.parapertussis, B.holmesii (PCR)

Swab (respiratory), sputum, bronchial lavage

The PCR detects B. pertussis, B. parapertussis and B. holmesii.

Bordetella is a genus of bacteria that can cause various diseases in humans and animals. The best-known species is Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough. Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease characterised by a cough with characteristic "wheezing".
Bordetella parapertussis is less common than B. pertussis, but can cause similar symptoms, although the course of the disease is usually milder.
Bordetella holmesii is closely related to the other Bordetella species, but is less commonly associated with whooping cough or other respiratory infections.
Bordetella infections can be transmitted from person to person by droplet infection.
If necessary, treatment usually includes antibiotics, and vaccination against pertussis reduces the risk of getting sick at all or suffering severe complications.