Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibodies, IgG/IgM-13538
Test info
PPLO antibodies
Aid in the diagnosis of atypical pneumonia, which is a cause of community-acquired pneumonia
Specimen
Immediately following collection, mix sample by gently inverting 5 times
- Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
- Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
Gold serum separator (SST) tube
- Allow sample to clot
- Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
- Transfer serum to a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp), labelled as serum
Ambient (preferred) - 14 days
Refrigerated - 14 days
Frozen - 14 days
Freeze/thaw cycles - stable x 3
- Hemolysis
- Lipemia
- Gross bacterial contamination
Performance
Enzyme immunoassay (EIA)
Clinical and Interpretive info
Negative
IgG: <100 units/mL
IgM: <770 units/mL
Primary infection usually occurs in children and reinfection in adults is common. Results must be interpreted in light of each patient's history, physical examination, and other diagnostic findings. A positive result indicates prior exposure to Mycoplasma. A single positive IgG result may be present in the absence of any clinical symptoms as specific IgG antibodies may remain elevated long after initial infection. Recent or acute infection can only be documented by a positive Mycoplasma IgM result and/or a significant increase in the IgG value between sera drawn two to four weeks apart. Specific IgM antibodies may persist for several months after infection or be absent during reinfection.