Underdiagnosing of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections as revealed by use of a respiratory multiplex PCR panel

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2016 Sep;86(1):50-2. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2016.06.013. Epub 2016 Jun 17.

Abstract

We compared a multiplex PCR diagnostic approach against specific PCR diagnosis for detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Seventy-five percent of all M. pneumoniae infections were only detected "unintentionally" by the use of the multiplex PCR indicating underdiagnosing of M. pneumoniae due to absence of clinical suspicion.

Keywords: Molecular diagnostics; Multiplex PCR; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Respiratory infections.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae / isolation & purification*
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / microbiology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / diagnosis*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Young Adult