Bordetella pertussis: A sensitive test is crucial for detection

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Lock up Bordatella pertussis with IS481 illustration - Caught by QIAGEN campaign
Lock up B. pertussis with IS481
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Syndromic testing provides fast answers for severe respiratory infections

Bacterial infections like Bordetella pertussis often mimic other respiratory illnesses. This makes them easy to miss without syndromic testing.

In this video, pediatrician Danilo Buonsenso, MD, PhD shares a real case where delayed diagnosis of pertussis led to severe consequences – and how syndromic testing can support early and accurate detection.

Early detection is critical in pertussis

Pertussis is on the rise post-COVID, putting infants and young children at risk (1). Pediatricians emphasize that early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing pertussis – you can learn more about that in our interview series.
IS481 vs toxin promoter infographic

Is your test sensitive enough?

B. pertussis PCR target sensitivity can vary, which affects test reliability. There are two main PCR targets that you should be aware of:

  1. IS481 insertion sequence: Appears in very high copy numbers in B. pertussis, making it highly sensitive. IS481 is also found in some other Bordetella species and can cross-react.
  2. Pertussis toxin (PTx) gene: Highly specific for B. pertussis but exists in low copy numbers, reducing its sensitivity and reliability.

IS481 provides more reliable pertussis detection

  • icon-infectious-disease-testingMore positive cases detected
    Studies show that tests using the IS481 target detect up to 1/3 more positive cases than those relying on the PTx target (2,3).
  • icon-genomicsCheck which gene your test targets
    Do you know which gene your pertussis test targets? To provide reliable detection of B. pertussis, our QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panels use the IS481 target.
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Other targets

References

1. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Increase in pertussis cases in the EU/EEA. Published January 26, 2024. Accessed February 11, 2025. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/increase-pertussis-cases-eueea

2. van Asten SAV, Boers SA, de Groot JDF, Schuurman R, Claas ECJ. Evaluation of the Genmark ePlex® and QIAstat-Dx® respiratory pathogen panels in detecting bacterial targets in lower respiratory tract specimens. BMC Microbiol. 2021;21(1):236. Published 2021 Aug 26. doi:10.1186/s12866-021-02289-w

3. Jerris RC, Williams SR, MacDonald HJ, Ingebrigtsen DR, Westblade LF, Rogers BB. Testing implications of varying targets for Bordetella pertussis: comparison of the FilmArray Respiratory Panel and the Focus B. pertussis PCR assay. J Clin Pathol. 2015;68(5):394-396. doi:10.1136/jclinpath-2014-202833


In some cases, data cited pertains to the use of a device from another manufacturer.

For up-to-date licensing information and product-specific disclaimers, see the respective QIAGEN kit instructions for use or user manual. QIAGEN instructions for use and user manuals are available at www.qiagen.com or can be requested from QIAGEN Technical Services (or your local distributor).