Mycoplasma pneumoniae Antibodies, IgG, Serum

Mycoplasmas represent the smallest self-replicating organisms, in both cellular dimensions and genome size. They depend on a host cell to supply them with what they need for their parasitic existence. M. pneumoniae cell volume is less than 5% of that of a typical bacillus which means that they can pass through 0.45 mm pore size filters used to sterilise media and that they can not be detected by light microscopy and do not produce visible turbidity in liquid growth media. The lack of a rigid cell wall confers pleomorphism on the cells and makes them unable to be classified as cocci or bacilli in the manner of conventional eubacteria. M. pneumoniae possesses very limited metabolic and biosynthetic activities for proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids in comparison to conventional bacteria. M. pneumoniae’s susceptibility to desiccation has a great impact on the need for close contact for transmission of infection from person to person by airborne droplets.

Mycoplasmas are primarily mucosal pathogens, living a parasitic existence in close association with epithelial cells of their host, usually in the respiratory or uro-genital tracts. The detection of M. pneumoniae specific IgG antibodies indicates past infection. However, re-infection leads directly to an IgG response; therefore, the absence of a positive IgM test does not rule out an acute infection.

1 ml Serum Room Temperature

Negative: < 1/10 Titre