Detection of Bordetella pertussis by determination of adenylate cyclase activity.

The adenylate cyclase activity of Bordetella pertussis in clinical isolates was measured in calmodulin-supplemented Stainer-Scholte broth by the rate of conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP. Analysis of 250 stock strains of Bordetella pertussis showed that measurable adenylate cyclase activity was produced by all strains. In clinical tests Bordetella pertussis was isolated from 135 (22%) of 605 swab samples. Increased adenylate cyclase activity was detected in 124 (92%) Stainer-Scholte broth cultures of these samples. A total of 475 swabs contained other bacteria or had no growth; only one of the Stainer-Scholte broth cultures of these swab samples contained measurable adenylate cyclase activity. The results indicate that testing for adenylate cyclase activity provides a specific and sensitive means for detecting Bordetella pertussis in clinical specimens.