Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Virology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
BPGH
Test Code (Numeric Code)
8660
Laboratory Handling
Transport
Room temperature (RT): same-day transport at RT is acceptable.
Laboratory
NPS swabs specimens should be sent to the Molecular Infectious Diseases section Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, and on weekends between 12:30 pm and 8:00 pm. Outside these hours, store specimens at 2–8°C in the designated box/rack in ALSS.
Sample Stability
NPS in UTM/VTM: stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours and at 2–8°C for up to 7 days.
Synonyms
Bordetella pertussis PCR
Whooping Cough
Pertussis PCR
Turnaround Time
24 hours
Specimen Type
- Nasopharyngeal Swab
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Swab - Viral PCR
Acceptable
- Swab - Viral PCR
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
3
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
0.5
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Swab - Viral PCR
Acceptable
- Swab - Viral PCR
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
3
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
0.5
Additional Specimen Information
Nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) or Nasopharyngeal swabs are the preferred specimens. Anterior nasal swabs are not appropriate and may give false negative results.
Last updated: 31/08/2026