title: Detection and characterization of Mycoplasma pneumoniae during an outbreak of respiratory illness at a university.
abstract: An outbreak at a university in Georgia was identified after 83 cases of probable pneumonia were reported among students. Respiratory specimens were obtained from 21 students for the outbreak investigation. The TaqMan array card (TAC), a quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based multipathogen detection technology, was used to initially identify Mycoplasma pneumoniae as the causative agent in this outbreak. TAC demonstrated 100% diagnostic specificity and sensitivity compared to those of the multiplex qPCR assay for this agent. All M. pneumoniae specimens (n=12) and isolates (n=10) were found through genetic analysis to be susceptible to macrolide antibiotics. The strain diversity of M. pneumoniae associated with this outbreak setting was identified using a variety of molecular typing procedures, resulting in two P1 genotypes (types 1 [60%] and 2 [40%]) and seven different multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) profiles. Continued molecular typing of this organism, particularly during outbreaks, may enhance the current understanding of the epidemiology of M. pneumoniae and may ultimately lead to a more effective public health response.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.forename: Maureen H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Brianna L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Petrone
authors.forename: Alvaro J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Benitez
authors.forename: Bernard J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Edison
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tobin-D'Angelo
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martyn
authors.forename: Hope
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dishman
authors.forename: Cherie L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Drenzek
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Lauri A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hicks
authors.forename: Jonas M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Winchell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D012634:Bodily Secretions / Q000382:microbiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D018942:Macrolides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D058889:Molecular Typing; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000382:microbiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D018942:Macrolides