What is Mycoplasma Pneumoniae (Mycoplasma Pneumoniae)?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the smallest organisms capable of independent life and is a common respiratory pathogen. It belongs to the class Mollicutes and the family Mycoplasmataceae. About 120 different species are known, and only 13 species have been isolated in humans, with 4 of them causing disease in humans. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of these four species and is considered an “atypical” pathogen because it lacks a cell wall.
What does a Mycoplasma Pneumoniae infection cause?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen that causes illnesses ranging in severity, from mild upper respiratory tract infections to severe interstitial (atypical) pneumonia. In addition to respiratory tract infections, this organism is also responsible for non-pulmonary infectious manifestations (neurological conditions, heart diseases, liver diseases, hemolytic anemia, polyarthritis, and others).Epidemiology
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the most common cause of pneumonia in humans. Outbreaks occur especially in closed groups, such as soldiers, families, or students. These outbreaks tend to spread slowly because the incubation period lasts 1-4 weeks and are most frequent in the spring.
Transmission
It is transmitted via droplets, and close, prolonged contact is required for infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms of infections caused by M. pneumoniae are generally mild and depend on the type of infection. The most common type of infection is tracheobronchitis (chest cold). Common cold symptoms include:
- Fatigue, malaise
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Persistent cough that gradually worsens
- Headache
- Watery eyes
- Wheezing in the chest
- Nasal congestion
Pneumonia (lung inflammation) may occur. It is important to note that only 5 to 10% of people infected with Mycoplasma develop pneumonia. Common symptoms of pneumonia include:
- Fever accompanied by chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
These are referred to as atypical pneumonias, and the term “walking pneumonia” is commonly used in the literature.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infection
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a small, rod-shaped microorganism lacking a cell wall, making it invisible with Gram staining. It can only be isolated on nutrient media supplemented with serum. Since this microorganism is particular about the growth media, isolation is not performed as a routine analysis in clinical laboratories. Isolation would be time-consuming, requiring specialized media for culture and a prolonged period for growth and identification.
For these reasons, routine medical laboratory work typically involves serological tests to detect IgG and IgM antibodies against Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Both types of tests are performed using the ELISA technique on blood samples. At BioDiagnostica Laboratory, these tests are conducted daily using the Alegria automated analyzer, with results available on the same day.
Neparno 10