Comparison of PCR, culture, and serological tests for diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory tract infection in children

J Clin Microbiol. 1999 Jan;37(1):14-7. doi: 10.1128/JCM.37.1.14-17.1999.

Abstract

For diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection we compared two rapid tests, PCR and the immunoglobulin M immunofluorescence assay (IgM IFA), with culture and the complement fixation test (CFT), in a prospective study among 92 children with respiratory tract infection and 74 controls. Based on positivity of culture and/or CFT as the diagnostic criterion, nine patients (10%) were diagnosed with M. pneumoniae infection. All patients positive by culture were also positive by PCR. In all controls cultures, PCRs, and serological assays were negative, except in one with a positive IgM IFA. The IgM IFA had a low positive predictive value of 50%. Only a combination of PCR (seven patients) and CFT (seven patients) allowed diagnosis of all cases.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae / growth & development*
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae / isolation & purification*
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / microbiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Serologic Tests