Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Clinical Utility

This assay is only available as part of a panel and cannot be ordered individually.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a small bacterium that cannot be seen on gram stain. It is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia and tracheobronchitis, or chest colds, in children. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections are sometimes referred to as "walking pneumonia," and are often seen with other upper respiratory tract symptoms. Outbreaks of Mycoplasma pneumoniae occur mostly in crowded environments, like schools, college dormitories, military barracks, and nursing homes, where transmission is possible through airborne droplets from close person-to-person contact.