Comparison of diagnostic sensitivity using lower and upper respiratory tract specimens by molecular detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases compared the diagnostic sensitivity of lower and upper respiratory tract specimens for detecting Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) infections. The study found that Mp diagnostics were most sensitive using specimens from the lower respiratory tract (LRT), based on the detection of Mp in paired patient specimens and the evaluation of Ct-values. However, testing for Mp in upper respiratory tract (URT) specimens still resulted in few missed diagnoses and can be used as a primary diagnostic specimen. It is important to interpret positive results from URT specimens with caution, as Mp carriage has been reported in asymptomatic children. [Extracted from the article]