New laboratory techniques for isolation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
The SP-4 culture medium, developed originally for newly isolated plant and insect mycoplasmas (spiroplasmas), has markedly improved the recovery of Mycoplasma pneumoniae from human clinical materials. This medium, in combination with a direct fluorescent antibody test, can enhance the recovery and identification of the organism by 30-40 percent over conventional culture procedures. Although these modifications are a clear improvement in diagnostic techniques for M. pneumoniae, the time required for growth and identification of the agent is still a major disadvantage for rapid clinical diagnosis. Thus, there remains a critical need for techniques that can specifically identify the major antigens (or other components) of the organism within the first week of the infection.
D000362:Agar; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003470:Culture Media; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000382:microbiology*; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D003470:Culture Media; D000362:Agar