Biomaterial Database

The limitations of IgM assays in the serological diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. 1990

M Sillis

Virology Department, PHLS/Microbiology Laboratory, West Norwich Hospital.

The most useful and reliable serological investigations for the diagnosis of current Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, including reinfection, were investigated. Paired sera and respiratory specimens from 115 patients with lower respiratory tract symptoms were examined for evidence of current M. pneumoniae infection by serological response, as measured by complement-fixation and indirect immunofluorescence tests for specific IgM, IgA and IgG, and also by culture of M. pneumoniae from respiratory material. Specific IgM was not always detectable in cases where other criteria indicated current or recent infection. On the basis of the present results, it is postulated that primary infection and reinfection may be differentiated by the presence or absence of specific IgM in the presence of elevated specific IgA levels and, therefore, that estimation of both IgM and IgA is necessary for the maximal detection of current M. pneumoniae infection, including reinfections. Specific IgG levels remained elevated for many weeks and were not useful diagnostically.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007070	Immunoglobulin A	Represents 15-20% of the human serum immunoglobulins, mostly as the 4-chain polymer in humans or dimer in other mammals. Secretory IgA (IMMUNOGLOBULIN A, SECRETORY) is the main immunoglobulin in secretions.	IgA,IgA Antibody,IgA1,IgA2,Antibody, IgA
D007074	Immunoglobulin G	The major immunoglobulin isotype class in normal human serum. There are several isotype subclasses of IgG, for example, IgG1, IgG2A, and IgG2B.	Gamma Globulin, 7S,IgG,IgG Antibody,Allerglobuline,IgG(T),IgG1,IgG2,IgG2A,IgG2B,IgG3,IgG4,Immunoglobulin GT,Polyglobin,7S Gamma Globulin,Antibody, IgG,GT, Immunoglobulin
D007075	Immunoglobulin M	A class of immunoglobulin bearing mu chains (IMMUNOGLOBULIN MU-CHAINS). IgM can fix COMPLEMENT. The name comes from its high molecular weight and originally was called a macroglobulin.	Gamma Globulin, 19S,IgM,IgM Antibody,IgM1,IgM2,19S Gamma Globulin,Antibody, IgM
D009177	Mycoplasma pneumoniae	Short filamentous organism of the genus Mycoplasma, which binds firmly to the cells of the respiratory epithelium. It is one of the etiologic agents of non-viral primary atypical pneumonia in man.	Eaton Agent
D011019	Pneumonia, Mycoplasma	Interstitial pneumonia caused by extensive infection of the lungs (LUNG) and BRONCHI, particularly the lower lobes of the lungs, by MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE in humans. In SHEEP, it is caused by MYCOPLASMA OVIPNEUMONIAE. In CATTLE, it may be caused by MYCOPLASMA DISPAR.	Mycoplasma Pneumonia,Pneumonia, Primary Atypical,Mycoplasma dispar Infection,Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae Infection,Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection,Atypical Pneumonia, Primary,Atypical Pneumonias, Primary,Mycoplasma Pneumonias,Mycoplasma dispar Infections,Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae Infections,Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infections,Pneumonias, Mycoplasma,Pneumonias, Primary Atypical,Primary Atypical Pneumonia,Primary Atypical Pneumonias
D012008	Recurrence	The return of a sign, symptom, or disease after a remission.	Recrudescence,Relapse,Recrudescences,Recurrences,Relapses
D003080	Cold Temperature	An absence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably below an accustomed norm.	Cold,Cold Temperatures,Temperature, Cold,Temperatures, Cold
D003168	Complement Fixation Tests	Serologic tests based on inactivation of complement by the antigen-antibody complex (stage 1). Binding of free complement can be visualized by addition of a second antigen-antibody system such as red cells and appropriate red cell antibody (hemolysin) requiring complement for its completion (stage 2). Failure of the red cells to lyse indicates that a specific antigen-antibody reaction has taken place in stage 1. If red cells lyse, free complement is present indicating no antigen-antibody reaction occurred in stage 1.	Complement Absorption Test, Conglutinating,Conglutination Reaction,Conglutinating Complement Absorption Test,Complement Fixation Test,Conglutination Reactions,Fixation Test, Complement,Fixation Tests, Complement,Reaction, Conglutination,Reactions, Conglutination,Test, Complement Fixation,Tests, Complement Fixation
D003450	Cryoglobulins	Abnormal immunoglobulins, especially IGG or IGM, that precipitate spontaneously when SERUM is cooled below 37 degrees Celsius. It is characteristic of CRYOGLOBULINEMIA.	Cryoglobulin,Cryoprotein,Cryoproteins
D005455	Fluorescent Antibody Technique	Test for tissue antigen using either a direct method, by conjugation of antibody with fluorescent dye (FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE, DIRECT) or an indirect method, by formation of antigen-antibody complex which is then labeled with fluorescein-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin antibody (FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE, INDIRECT). The tissue is then examined by fluorescence microscopy.	Antinuclear Antibody Test, Fluorescent,Coon's Technique,Fluorescent Antinuclear Antibody Test,Fluorescent Protein Tracing,Immunofluorescence Technique,Coon's Technic,Fluorescent Antibody Technic,Immunofluorescence,Immunofluorescence Technic,Antibody Technic, Fluorescent,Antibody Technics, Fluorescent,Antibody Technique, Fluorescent,Antibody Techniques, Fluorescent,Coon Technic,Coon Technique,Coons Technic,Coons Technique,Fluorescent Antibody Technics,Fluorescent Antibody Techniques,Fluorescent Protein Tracings,Immunofluorescence Technics,Immunofluorescence Techniques,Protein Tracing, Fluorescent,Protein Tracings, Fluorescent,Technic, Coon's,Technic, Fluorescent Antibody,Technic, Immunofluorescence,Technics, Fluorescent Antibody,Technics, Immunofluorescence,Technique, Coon's,Technique, Fluorescent Antibody,Technique, Immunofluorescence,Techniques, Fluorescent Antibody,Techniques, Immunofluorescence,Tracing, Fluorescent Protein,Tracings, Fluorescent Protein