Panel Bacterial Infections of the Respiratory System – 7 Species

Objective of the Test:

Identification of bacteria causing upper respiratory tract infections:

• Bordetella parapertussis
• Bordetella pertussis
• Chlamydophila pneumoniae
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Legionella pneumophila
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae
• Streptococcus pneumoniae

Benefits of the Test:

Early identification of the cause of respiratory infections leads to the prompt initiation of appropriate treatment, which can prevent undesirable consequences of the infection and its complications, such as otitis media, pneumonia, pleural empyema, bronchiectasis, emphysema or atelectasis, and even encephalopathy.

Indications for the Test:

For individuals with symptoms of illness – to differentiate the cause of respiratory tract infections.

Method:

Real-Time PCR

High sensitivity of the test

Sample Material:

Nasopharyngeal swab or throat swab

For testing infections with Legionella, the sample material is blood, serum, or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

Turnaround Time:

Standard mode – 3 working days

Bordetella parapertussis

Bordetella parapertussis is a Gram-negative rod that colonizes the respiratory tract. The symptoms of infection with this bacterium are similar to those caused by Bordetella pertussis, but the course of the disease is generally milder.

Infection Symptoms: The incubation period of the disease usually ranges from 7 to 14 days, sometimes up to 20 days.

Disease Phases and Symptoms:

• Phase I – Catarrhal: Runny nose, low-grade fever, mild, sporadic cough.
• Phase II – Paroxysmal Cough: Coughing fits with apnea and the characteristic "whoop" of whooping cough, cyanosis, vomiting, exhaustion.
• Phase III – Convalescence: Gradual decrease in the severity of the cough, with occasional exacerbations during secondary infections.

Transmission Routes: Bordetella parapertussis spreads via airborne droplets.

Bordetella pertussis

Bordetella pertussis are aerobic, Gram-negative rods that cause the infectious disease known as whooping cough. Whooping cough (formerly known as pertussis) is an acute respiratory infection characterized by recurrent episodes of persistent coughing. Bordetella pertussis causes damage to the mucous membranes of the bronchi, trachea, and larynx, including necrotic changes. The necrosis of the respiratory epithelium leads to increased production of sticky mucus, manifesting as a severe, exhausting cough. Having whooping cough provides long-term immunity, but reinfection is possible.

Transmission Routes: Bordetella pertussis spreads via airborne droplets.

Chlamydia pneumoniae

Chlamydia pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that causes respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia. Chlamydia pneumoniae damages the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, including the throat, trachea, and lungs.

Infection Symptoms: Chlamydia pneumoniae infections most often affect the upper respiratory tract. Typical symptoms of these infections include: Runny nose, fatigue, low-grade fever, hoarseness or loss of voice, sore throat, gradually worsening cough, headache.

Transmission Routes: Chlamydia pneumoniae spreads via airborne droplets.

Haemophilus influenzae

Haemophilus influenzae is a Gram-negative bacterium (rod) that primarily causes respiratory infections and meningitis.

Infection Symptoms: Haemophilus influenzae can cause many different types of infections. Symptoms depend on the site of the infection.

Symptoms of pneumonia usually include: Fever and chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chest pain, headache, muscle pain, fatigue.

Symptoms of bloodstream infection usually include: Fever and chills, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Symptoms of meningitis usually include: Fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, photophobia (sensitivity to light). Transmission Routes: Haemophilus influenzae spreads via airborne droplets.

Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila is a bacterium that causes respiratory infections. Legionella pneumophila can present in two clinically distinct forms: Legionnaires' disease, Pontiac fever.

Infection Symptoms: For Legionnaires' disease: Weakness, dry cough, high fever, headache, muscle pain, breathing difficulties, kidney dysfunction (proteinuria, azotemia, hematuria), gastrointestinal disturbances (diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting), liver failure, central nervous system damage (consciousness disturbances, disorientation, and delirium), pericarditis.

For Pontiac fever: Fever, headache, muscle pain, cough.

Transmission Routes: Legionella pneumophila bacteria naturally occur in freshwater environments such as lakes and streams. They can pose a health risk when they grow and spread in man-made water systems, such as: showerheads and sink faucets, cooling towers, hot tubs, fountains, water tanks and heaters, large, complex plumbing systems. These bacteria can also be present in air conditioning systems in buildings or cars.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a bacterium responsible for causing atypical pneumonia. It is also an etiological agent for bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections.

Infection Symptoms: Symptoms depend on the type and location of the infection. The most common type of infection is tracheobronchitis, but pneumonia can also occur.

Typical symptoms of tracheobronchitis include: Sore throat, fatigue, elevated temperature, cough, headache.

Typical symptoms of pneumonia include: Cough, fever and chills, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue.

Children under 5 years old may exhibit cold-like symptoms, such as runny nose, sore throat, watery eyes, wheezing, vomiting, and diarrhea. Transmission Routes: Mycoplasma pneumoniae spreads via airborne droplets.

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a Gram-positive bacterium belonging to the streptococci family. Pneumococcal disease caused by this bacterium is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. Streptococcus pneumoniae is responsible for non-invasive infections of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, such as sinusitis, middle ear infections, and pneumonia, as well as severe invasive diseases like meningitis or sepsis.

Infection Symptoms:

Pneumococcal disease can involve many different types of infections. Symptoms depend on the part of the body that is infected. Most pneumococcal infections are mild, but some can be fatal or cause long-term health issues.

Transmission Routes: Streptococcus pneumoniae spreads via airborne droplets.

Instructions for sampling are included in the package.

Material Collection in Warsaw:

To arrange a pickup time for your shipment by a driver in Warsaw, please contact a BORLAMED employee by email or phone.

A laboratory employee will schedule a visit by our driver at the chosen time.

The material collection is free of charge.

You can also personally deliver the material for testing during the laboratory's working hours (Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM).

Material Collection:

Schedule a pickup time for your shipment via courier or parcel locker – to do so, please contact a BORLAMED employee by email or phone. The laboratory employee will arrange for a courier or parcel locker and ask you to print the shipping label, which will be sent to your email address.

The material collection is free of charge.

Address:

Giuseppe Garibaldi Street 4, unit 12A, 04-078 Warsaw.

Phone: +48 534 630 468 or +48 536 947 487

Email: laboratorium@borlamed.pl