Pertussis antibodies in oral fluid test: instructions for health protection teams
Updated 10 May 2024
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pertussis-whooping-cough-oral-fluid-laboratory-request-form-and-instructions/pertussis-antibodies-in-oral-fluid-test-instructions-for-health-protection-teams
Pertussis antibodies in oral fluid enhanced surveillance scheme (2 to under 17 years old)
Eligibility for pertussis oral fluid test
When a pertussis notification is received for a 2 to 16 year old inclusive (that is, aged 2 to under 17 years) by phone or on paper:
- where the onset of cough is more than 14 days and
- has not already been tested for laboratory evidence of pertussis and
- the person has had no known pertussis vaccination in the previous year
How to request an oral fluid kit
The health protection team (HPT) should:
1. Download the Pertussis antibodies in oral fluid: laboratory request form and letter template for notified cases.
Laboratory request form
For the laboratory request form, complete all the details in full :
- GP surgery and full address including postcode
- health protection team
- HP Zone number
- patient name
- date of birth
- NHS number
- sex
- patient’s full address including postcode
- date of onset (if known)
If the GP information is incomplete, the results may inadvertently be sent to the wrong GP and therefore breach Caldicott guidelines.
Letter
For the letter highlight the HPZ ref line and the address lines and press F9. This section will automatically update with the details from the laboratory request form. You can highlight line by line or all of them.
Another way to update this section is to select file, select print and then the back arrow at the top left to return to the updated document.
2. Email the laboratory request form and covering letter to Intelsius at ukhsaorders@intelsius.com using the secure egress system as the document will include personally identifiable information (PII). The OFK will be prepared and posted directly to the patient on the same day, if the email is received by 3pm on a weekday, or the next working day if it is received after 3pm.
Results
The OFK will be processed by the Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit (RVPBRU) in the usual way. It will take about 2 to 3 weeks to generate the complete results which will then be:
- sent to the GP by post
- copied to the HPT (via e-lab)
Please note that no paper copies of oral fluid pertussis reports will be sent to HPTs.
Contacts
Contact the LabPortal helpdesk if you have any queries relating to e-lab at elab.helpdesk@phe.gov.uk.
Scientific co-ordinators: Sonia Ribeiro and Dr Helen Campbell, telephone number 020 8327 6058
Medical co-ordinator: Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, telephone number 020 8327 6407
RVPBRU Laboratory surveillance lead, Dr David Litt, telephone number 020 8327 7476