Detection of Pulmonary Infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae by Culture, ELISA and PCR Methods at Hospitals of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is responsible for 15–20% of all cases of community-acquired pneumonia. The aim of the present study was to compare culture، ELISA and PCR methods in detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae at hospitals of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.

Between May 2009 and November 2009، 200 patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were suspected to Mycoplasma pneumonia respiratory infection based on the clinical findings. Single blood sample was collected for ELISA testing and throat swab or bronchoalveolar lavage was used for both PCR and culture.

Two hundred patients، 50. 3% males and 49. 7% females with median age of 25 years، were studied. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was diagnosed in 12 (6%) patients with PCR method، in 10 (5%) cases with ELISA IgM and in 4 (2%) cases by culture technique. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was most prevalent in 5-20 year old patients.

PCR method is more sensitive than ELISA and culture techniques. Results of this investigation indicate that PCR on a single throat swab specimen is a rapid، sensitive، and specific test that may greatly simplify the diagnosis of respiratory infection caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.