Which agar is specifically recommended for recovering Bordetella pertussis from nasopharyngeal specimens?

Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, requires specific growth conditions due to its unique growth characteristics. Bordet-Gengou agar is tailored for the isolation of this bacterium from nasopharyngeal specimens. This medium is enriched with specific nutrients and has been designed to support the growth of B. pertussis while inhibiting the growth of other microorganisms that may be present in the sample.

Chocolate agar and blood agar are general-purpose media that support a wide range of bacteria but are not specifically selective for B. pertussis. MacConkey agar is selective for gram-negative bacteria and would not support the growth of this particular organism, which is gram-negative but has specific needs that are not met by this medium. Therefore, Bordet-Gengou agar is the most appropriate choice for recovering Bordetella pertussis due to its specific formulation which caters to the growth requirements of this pathogen.