Molecular Detection by PCR From Clinical Material
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Molecular detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae by PCR.
- Atypical pneumonia
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA), or throat swab. Sputum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and tissue samples may also be tested but are not ideal. Dry swabs will not be accepted for testing; any swabs sent must be supplied in appropriate storage medium. At least 1.0 mL of fluid sample is required for testing, and it is preferable if all samples are supplied in screw-capped tubes made of freeze-thaw and shatter-resistant plastic.
Please follow standard aseptic sampling methods for collecting specimens and ensure any tissue samples/swabs are in appropriate storage medium.
No further processing at the sending lab is required once specimens are collected according to the above instructions. It is preferable that all specimens be frozen after collection. If that’s not possible, then store at refrigeration temperature (2 – 8°C). Ensure that specimens are held at the appropriate temperature when shipped to the NML (e.g. frozen specimens shipped with dry ice, refrigerated specimens with cold packs).
Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.
Clinical features of M. pneumoniae respiratory infection frequently include such symptoms as tonsillitis, rhinitis, bronchiolitis, and atypical pneumonia, but symptoms related to other systems may occur (e.g. neurological, renal, dermatological, ophthalmological, musculoskeletal, haematological/cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal).
Completed Special Bacteriology requisition form (most recent version of requisition is required), detailing all patient information and relevant clinical information. If possible, attach lab results that have already been done at local or provincial laboratories.
If a test performed by the submitting lab produced a positive result for M. pneumoniae, it is also helpful to indicate this in the documentation including what type of test was performed.
DNA is extracted using a commercially-available kit and results are based upon a real-time PCR targeting the gene encoding the CARDS toxin and is specific for M. pneumoniae. Positive samples are confirmed with a conventional PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene of the Mycoplasmataceae family, followed by sequence analysis.
10 calendar days. Please note that during times when large numbers of samples are received or if tests must be repeated the turnaround time may be longer.
- Sanchez-Vargas, FM and Gómez-Duarte OG. 2008. Mycoplasma pneumoniae-an emerging extra-pulmonary pathogen. Clin Microbiol Infect. Feb;14(2):105-17.
- Lingappa JR, Lawrence W, West-Keefe S, Gautom R, and Cookson BT. 2002. Diagnosis of community-acquired pertussis infection: comparison of both culture and fluorescent-antibody assays with PCR detection using electrophoresis or dot blot hybridization. J. Clin. Microbiol. 40(8):2908-12.
- van Kuppeveld FJ, van der Logt JT, Angulo, AF, van Zoest MJ, Quint WG, Niesters HG, Galama JM, Melchers WJ. 1992. Genus- and species-specific identification of mycoplasmas by 16S rRNA amplification. Appl. Env. Microbiol. 58(8): 2606 – 2615.
- Thurman, K. A., Warner, A. K., Cowart, K. C., Benitez, A. J., & Winchell, J. M. (2011). Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Legionella spp. in clinical specimens using a single-tube multiplex real-time PCR assay. Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease,70(1), 1-9. doi:10.1016/j.