title: Aerosolized vaccine as an unexpected source of false-positive Bordetella pertussis PCR results.
abstract: When 13 of 13 nasal wash specimens from a single pediatrician's office tested positive for low quantities of Bordetella pertussis DNA, we suspected prelaboratory contamination. Investigation revealed that Pentacel and Adacel vaccines contain high copy numbers of B. pertussis DNA, which can be aerosolized, causing false-positive B. pertussis PCR results.
authors.affiliation: Detroit Medical Center University Laboratories, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salimnia
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Lephart
authors.forename: Basim I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Asmar
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prebelich
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paulson
authors.forename: Marilynn R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Fairfax
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine