DIAGNOSIS OF WHOOPING-COUGH - A NEW ERA WITH RAPID MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS

A rapid diagnostic procedure, which is based upon the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genetic amplification technology, was utilized to esta blish the presence of Bordetella pertussis in nasopharyngeal washes fr om children, Overall, 14.7% of 456 specimens were positive by either c ulture or the rapid assay, Culture and PCR were concordant for 62.7% o f positive samples; PCR provided an additional increment of 37.3%, PCR -positive, culture-negative specimens were more likely to be found amo ng older patients with more prolonged illness and previous erythromici n therapy (P < 0.01 for all three comparisons). As a single laboratory assay, PCR should be recognized as the current standard for diagnosis .