Mycoplasma pneumoniae, DNA PCR

The Mycoplasma pneumoniae, DNA PCR test (real-time PCR for M. pneumoniae DNA) is used to identify M. pneumoniae in patients undergoing evaluation for lower respiratory tract disease, including atypical pneumonia. Detection of pathogen DNA may also be used to support assessment of response to antibacterial therapy. When a timely etiologic diagnosis is required, PCR offers a rapid and specific alternative to culture or serology for mycoplasma testing.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a frequent cause of respiratory mycoplasmosis and a leading etiology of atypical pneumonia, contributing to as many as 30% of cases. Transmission occurs via respiratory droplets from symptomatic individuals or asymptomatic carriers, with an incubation period of approximately 2–3 weeks. Clinical presentation spans asymptomatic infection to fever, malaise, headache, and a progressively worsening cough. About 5%–10% of patients develop tracheobronchitis or pneumonia characterized by persistent sputum that may be difficult to expectorate and occasionally streaked with blood. Extrapulmonary manifestations can occur and include Stevens–Johnson syndrome and other dermatologic findings; aseptic meningitis, meningoencephalitis, and transverse myelitis; Guillain–Barré syndrome and polyneuropathy; Raynaud phenomenon; aplastic anemia; and cardiac complications such as arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and heart failure. Real-time PCR targets pathogen-specific DNA sequences and provides a sensitive, rapid method for identifying M. pneumoniae compared with culture or serologic approaches.