Mycoplasma pneumoniae – Respiratory PCR
Consistent with O. Reg. 671/92 of the French Language Services Act, laboratory testing information on this page is only available in English because it is scientific or technical in nature and is for use only by qualified health care providers and not by members of the public.
Background
This page provides real-time PCR testing information for Mycoplasma pneumoniae at Public Health Ontario (PHO).
Updates
CSF and other specimen types requires approval by the PHO Microbiologist before sending to PHO’s laboratory. Contact PHO Customer Service.
Testing Indications
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, and “atypical” community-acquired pneumonia. Clinical manifestations outside the respiratory tract are rare but may occur. M. pneumoniae is transmitted via respiratory droplets and can cause sporadic infections and sustained outbreaks.
If an outbreak is suspected, contact your local Public Health Unit.
Acceptance/Rejection Criteria
Acceptable:
- Use recommended collection kit (see below).
- Submit neat specimen (>=0.5 ml)
- Swab specimens must be collected with nylon flocculated swabs or on swabs with Dacron tips and aluminum or plastic shafts.
Unacceptable:
- Swabs with calcium alginate or cotton tips and wooden sticks are not acceptable, as they have been shown to inhibit PCR.
- Chemically fixed or preserved specimens are not acceptable for PCR testing and will be rejected upon receipt at PHO.
- Cobas PCR media is unacceptable as a transport media for Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Specimens sent in this media will be rejected.
Specimen Requirements
| Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
Mycoplasma pneumoniae PCR |
Bronchoalveolar lavage Nasopharyngeal Swab (NPS) Throat swab Tracheal aspirates Respiratory tract specimens CSF (see note #3 below) |
- Swab in universal transport media provided in collection kit - Neat (minimum volume 0.5mL) |
Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Chlamydia pneumoniae KIT order# 390085 (6 Packs). |
Submission and Collection Notes
Complete all fields of the requisition form, including:
- Test(s) requests and indications for testing
- Patient setting/population/source
- Symptoms
- Onset date of symptoms
For clinical specimens, label the specimen container(s) with the patient’s first and last name, date of collection, and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. For additional information see: Criteria for Acceptance of Patient Specimens. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.
CSF and other type of specimens that are not listed above are not validated, and need approval for testing. Please contact PHO Customer Service Center at 1-877-604-4567 for test approval by the microbiologist.
Timing of Specimen Collection
Specimens should be collected as soon as possible following onset of symptoms using the Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Chlamydophila pneumoniae collection kit.
Storage and Transport
Specimens should be stored at 2-8°C following collection and shipped to PHO on ice packs. All clinical specimens must be shipped in accordance to the Transportation of Dangerous Good Act.
Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is tested twice per week at PHO’s Laboratory in Toronto.
TAT is up to 5 business days from receipt at PHO.
Stat and Critical Specimens Testing
Contact Customer Service if a critical specimen is being submitted to ensure sample is run on next available run.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae specimens are tested by Polymerase Chain Reaction test that detects both Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The PCR is >99% specific.
Interpretation
The following table provides possible test results with associated interpretations:
| Result | Interpretation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
Not Detected |
Mycoplasma pneumoniae Not Detected |
Note: This specimen was tested using a laboratory test developed by Public Health Ontario Laboratory for the purpose of clinical testing. Results should be interpreted in the context of the clinical situation. |
Detected |
Mycoplasma pneumoniae Detected |
Note: This specimen was tested using a laboratory test developed by Public Health Ontario Laboratory for the purpose of clinical testing. Results should be interpreted in the context of the clinical situation. |
Invalid |
Mycoplasma pneumoniae Invalid |
Note: Nucleic Acid extraction and/or amplification could not be successfully completed. This may be caused by inhibitory substances or improper sample collection. Please resubmit if clinically relevant. This specimen was tested using a laboratory test developed by Public Health Ontario Laboratory for the purpose of clinical testing. Results should be interpreted in the context of the clinical situation. |
Indeterminate |
Mycoplasma pneumoniae Indeterminate |
Note: An indeterminate PCR test result may be due to a low level of target genetic material in the specimen content or a non-specific signal. Please resubmit another specimen for testing if clinically indicated. This specimen was tested using a laboratory test developed by Public Health Ontario Laboratory for the purpose of clinical testing. Results should be interpreted in the context of the clinical situation. |
Inconclusive |
Mycoplasma pneumoniae Inconclusive |
Note: PCR results are inconclusive. Consider collecting a second specimen for repeat PCR testing. This specimen was tested using a laboratory test developed by Public Health Ontario Laboratory for the purpose of clinical testing. Results should be interpreted in context of the clinical situation. |
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