Laboratory diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection: 1. Direct detection of antigen in respiratory exudates by enzyme immunoassay
Date
1988
Authors
Kok, T.W.
Varkanis, G.
Marmion, B.P.
Martin, J.
Esterman, A.
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Epidemiology and Infection, 1988; 101(3):669-684
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T.-W. Kok, G. Varkanis, B. P. Marmion, J. Martin and A. Esterman
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Abstract
Direct and indirect antigen capture enzyme immunoassays (Ag-EIA) have been developed for the detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in nasopharyngeal aspirates or sputum from respiratory infection. The sensitivity of the two Ag-EIA were similar, but the indirect method using polyclonal rabbit and guinea-pig antisera was more convenient. The Ag-EIA had a detection limit of 10(4-4.5) colony-forming units/ml of sample. It was specific for M. pneumoniae and gave a low level response with M. genitalium. There were no cross-reactions with 10 other species of mycoplasmas. Tests with a wide range of bacteria and chlamydia group antigen, representing agents sometimes found in the respiratory tract, were also negative. At the current level of development, the Ag-EIA detected about 90% of specimens that were also positive for culture; 43% of specimens from culture-negative--seropositive patients gave a positive result. The overall pattern of results indicated that while antigen detection is a quick and effective substitute for the slow culture method, serological examination for specific IgM antibody is also necessary to give a complete diagnostic coverage.
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© Cambridge University Press 1988