1 - 5 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Serum
1 mL
0.5 mL
Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube
Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Temperature
Period
Room temperature
14 days
Refrigerated
Frozen
Freeze/thaw cycles
Stable x3
Hemolysis; lipemia; gross bacterial contamination
Aid in the diagnosis of atypical pneumonia, which is a cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Primary infection usually occurs in children and reinfection in adults is common. Results must be interpreted in light of each patient's history, physical examination, and other diagnostic findings.
Enzyme immunoassay (EIA)
Negative: IgG: <100 units/mL, IgM: <770 units/mL
A positive result indicates prior exposure to Mycoplasma. A single positive IgG result may be present in the absence of any clinical symptoms as specific IgG antibodies may remain elevated long after initial infection. Recent or acute infection can only be documented by a positive Mycoplasma IgM result and/or a significant increase in the IgG value between sera drawn two to four weeks apart. Specific IgM antibodies may persist for several months after infection or be absent during reinfection.
