78921-4

LOINC code 78921-4 identifies "Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis DNA and culture panel - Nasopharynx". Pertussis is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. PCR has increased sensitivity and faster results reporting, however culture is still considered the gold standard laboratory test and the most specific laboratory test for pertussis. PCR is done to detect the presence of a repetitive insertion sequence IS481 that has been specifically found to be present in up to 100 copies within the genome of B. pertussis. 8-10 copies of this insertion sequence can also be found in B. holmesii however. On rare occasion, a copy of this sequence is also found in B. bronchiseptica, thus these two species may test positive for the PCR assay. Concurrent culturing is used to differentiate these two species from B. pertussis and confirm the organism, while PCR allows preliminary results to be reported the same day that the specimen is received.

This code measures Bordetella pertussis & Bordetella parapertussis panel in Nph. It belongs to the PANEL.MICRO class in the LOINC classification.

LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes) is a universal standard for identifying laboratory and clinical observations. It is maintained by the Regenstrief Institute and used worldwide for health data exchange.