How is Mycoplasma testing performed in children?
Dec 05, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ma Yan
Introduction
Mycoplasma infection in children can generally be tested through a throat swab or blood test. A positive mycoplasma culture from a throat swab indicates infection. Blood testing can be performed using either fingertip capillary blood or venous blood drawn from the elbow vein. Additionally, diagnosis should take into account the child's clinical symptoms; mycoplasma infection should not be confirmed based solely on a positive antibody test.
Mycoplasma infection in children can generally be diagnosed through methods such as throat swabs or blood tests.
A throat swab culture for mycoplasma, if positive, indicates infection. Blood testing can use either a finger-prick peripheral blood sample or venous blood drawn from the elbow. Antibody testing via blood mainly checks for mycoplasma-specific IgM antibodies. A positive IgM result suggests active mycoplasma infection. Total antibody testing for mycoplasma can also be performed; when the total antibody titer is ≥1:160, whether infection is present should be determined based on clinical symptoms. Therefore, when testing for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, the primary focus is on whether the IgM antibody is positive. Mycoplasma are tiny microorganisms smaller than bacteria but larger than viruses, and children are particularly susceptible to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, often associated with pneumonia. If a child develops mycoplasma pneumonia, prompt treatment is necessary, along with adequate rest during illness. Under a doctor's guidance, patients may take medications such as enteric-coated erythromycin tablets.
Moreover, diagnosis of mycoplasma infection in children should be based on clinical features in conjunction with laboratory results, rather than relying solely on a positive antibody test.
