Mycoplasma reference services

Details of services offered

The APU offers confirmatory and referred services useful in the investigation of individual cases and outbreaks of mycoplasma and ureaplasma infection. These are genome detection and/or culture from clinical material and identification of referred isolates.

The laboratory is happy to discuss and advise upon particular diagnostic and clinical problems and laboratory aspects of epidemiological investigations, ask for Dr Vicki Chalker (020 8327 6776) or Dr Tim Harrison (020 8327 6906/7331) in the first instance.

Quick view table (further details below)

The detection of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae DNA in clinical samples

This referred (charged) service is available where M. pneumoniae infection is of increased likelihood or would be of major clinical significance.

The presence of M.pneumoniae DNA in clinical material taken from an acutely ill patient is determined by using a PCR directed against the P1 adhesin gene. Any respiratory specimen is suitable for this test, preferably a lower respiratory tract specimen or throat swab.

CSF samples are rarely positive for M.pneumoniae and are therefore not routinely tested for M.pneumoniae DNA unless paired with a throat swab.

Turnround time

• Under normal circumstances, these tests are processed twice weekly and, therefore, the turnround time is 5 calendar days.

 How to obtain service  

• Use the Atypical Pneumonia Unit request form (R1 Atypical pneumonia request form (PDF, 319 KB)) and supply respiratory samples (sputa, BALs, NPAs, etc.) in a sterile container - as much volume as possible but not less than 0.2mL.

Specimen submissions regarded by the sending laboratory as especially important or urgent should be notified to APU by telephone (020 8327 7331/6776) to ensure that the appropriate level of priority is accorded to these specimens immediately upon receipt.

The detection of Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma from clinical material

Detection and culture of mycoplasma is laborious and expensive.  This referred (charged) service is not intended for the routine investigation of respiratory illness, but is available where mycoplasma infection is of increased likelihood or would be of major clinical significance.

Neonate screen

U. urealyticum,  U.parvum and M.hominis, may be involved in respiratory  infection or rarely meningitis/septacemia in neonates, especially low birth weight infants The presence of U.urealyticum, U.parvum and M.hominis DNA in clinical material is determined using PCR amplifying the urease gene in ureaplasmas with species-specific probes (Yi et al., 2005) and the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gap) gene in M.hominis (adaption of Baczynska et al., 2004 with an house probe design). Culture and antibiotic sensitivities will be attempted on all PCR positive specimens..

Other specimens

Mycoplasma and ureaplasmas may cause respiratory and other infections in the immunocompromised. Respiratory specimens from such patients are suitable for investigation.  Mycoplasmas have occasionally been isolated from other extra-pulmonary sites including CSF, blood cultures, wound and joint aspirates. The presence of mycoplasmas will be determined using PCR, sequencing and culture when relevant for all human and zoonotic mollicute species excepting haemoplasmas.

Turnround time

• Neonate screen: PCR will be run at least twice a week, therefore results will be available 1-5 calendar days. Culture and sensitivities will be available ASAP following successful isolation (minimum 48 hours following PCR positive results).
• Other specimens: Relevant PCR, sequencing and culture results will be available dependent on the organism in question. Some species such as M. hominis take only a few days whilst others such as M.pirum may take as long as 6 weeks to isolate. 

The identification of putative isolates of Mycoplasmas and Ureaplasmas

This reference service is undertaken by biochemical characterisation, growth inhibition studies, and molecular methods including 16S rDNA sequencing.

The laboratory is happy to receive any putative isolates from clinical material. The most frequently referred species include M.hominis, U.urealyticum, U.parvum and M.pneumoniae. 

Turnround time

• Turnround times will vary depending on the nature of the enquiry and the complexity of the investigation required including length of time required to culture species under study.  Priority will always be given to isolates of current clinical relevance.

How to obtain service

• Use the Atypical Pneumonia Unit request form R1 Atypical pneumonia request form (PDF, 319 KB) and supply pure culture on mycoplasma medium or chocolate/blood agar

Specimen submissions regarded by the sending laboratory as especially important or urgent should be notified to APU by telephone (020 8327 7331/6776/7222) to ensure that the appropriate level of priority is accorded to these specimens immediately upon receipt.

Mycoplasma Genitalium
All enquiries relating to M.genitalium should be referred to STBRL (telephone 020 8327 6464).

Last reviewed: 24 February 2012