Mycoplasma pneumoniae Antibodies (IgG, IgM, IgA)

General Information

Mycoplasmas are very small bacteria that do not have a cell wall.

Mycoplasmas belong to the normal microflora of the mucous membrane of the mouth, throat, vagina and urethra. They are called commensals (microorganisms that coexist with humans and feed on the products of their animal activities, but do not cause disease). In addition to commensals, there are uniquely pathogenic mycoplasmas, namely: Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis.

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a pathogenic bacterium that causes respiratory diseases.

The spread of infection is slower in schools, military units, and other dense populations of people. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is most common in children under 5 years of age, although in most cases it is characterized by an asymptomatic or moderate course.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae easily attaches to the ciliated (ciliated) and non-ciliated epithelium of the respiratory tract. It produces peroxidases that destroy the host (human) cell membrane, inhibit the movement of epithelial cilia and the evacuation of mucus from the respiratory tract, which ultimately contributes to the development of infection.

Symptoms

Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes tracheobronchitis, pneumonia. The disease begins 2-3 weeks after infection - with fever, headache, pharyngitis and prolonged dry cough. X-ray examination of the lungs shows atypical pneumonia. In the general blood analysis, there are practically no changes at the beginning of the process, the leukocyte formula changes slightly as it progresses.

Complications

Without antibiotic therapy, the fever is reversible in 2-14 days, although the cough may persist for 2-6 weeks. Severe complications such as: lung abscess, pleurisy, secondary bacterial infection, bronchiectasis (enlargement of the bronchus area) rarely occur.

Diagnosis

Mycoplasma pneumoniae as an antigen can be isolated from respiratory fluid, although the test is not sensitive enough. Therefore, laboratory diagnostics is based on serological studies.

Combined detection of IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies is performed. It should be noted that detection of IgA antibodies is especially informative in case of reinfection, since in this situation IgM is negative.

Preliminary preparation: does not require prior preparation

Material for examination: Venous blood

Reference norms

Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgG

It is negative < 20 units/ml

20-25 units/ml is ambiguous

Positive > 25 units/ml

Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM

It is negative < 20 units/ml

20-25 units/ml is ambiguous

Positive > 25 units/ml

Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgA

It is negative < 20 units/ml

20-25 units/ml is ambiguous

Positive > 25 units/ml

Interpretation of results