Mycoplasma pneumoniae & Chlamydophila pneumoniae DNA Detection by PCR

Alternate test name

Mycoplasma infections , atypical pneumonia, community acquired pneumonia

Gene name / Alternate gene name

P1 adhesin gene (M. pneumoniae)

ompA gene (C. pneumoniae)

Lab area

Microbiology - Molecular

Method and equipment

Polymerase Chain Reaction

Expected turn-around time

Within 4 days

Specimen type

Specimen requirements

Throat swab in universal transport medium. DO NOT use charcoal swab
Nasopharyngeal swab in universal transport medium. DO NOT use charcoal swab
Sterile screw top container for other respiratory specimens (BAL, NP aspirates and lung biopsy). At least 1 mL of BAL or NP aspirates required.

Storage and transportation

All specimens must be shipped on dry ice.
Exception: Specimens that will arrive at SickKids within 24 hours from the time of collection can be shipped on ice packs

Special requirements

Requisition

Disease condition