Molecular Detection by PCR

Molecular detection of Mycoplasma spp. by PCR.

Urethral/Urogenital swab, vaginal swab, rectal swab, urine.

Sterile cotton swab or Dacron polyester swab or flocked nylon swab.

Place swabs in at least 1 mL appropriate transport medium (such as Universal Transport Medium). Store samples refrigerated or frozen until shipped for testing. Ship frozen samples on dry ice and refrigerated samples on cold packs.

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

Urogenital mycoplasmas are known to cause non-gonococcal urethritis, bacterial vaginosis, spontaneous abortion, postpartum fever, pelvic inflammatory disease, sterile pyuria, prostitis, and potentially neoplastic carcinoma. Although urogenital mycoplasmas typically infect the urogenital tract, cases have been found of respiratory tract infections therefore, all clinical findings and symptomatic manifestations should be taken into consideration prior to testing requests.

Streptococcus and STI Unit requisition form, clearly specify organism testing request on the requisition form. Append all relevant clinical background information and testing performed.

N/A

DNA from all Mycoplasma spp. samples received at the NML for PCR testing is initially extracted using a commercially-available kit. Results are based upon a conventional PCR assay targeting a highly conserved 16S ribosomal gene sequence within the Mycoplasmataceae Family. A positive result will be submitted for sequence analysis then compared to the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) database to attempt organism identification. A negative result does not eliminate the possibility of a Mycoplasma spp. infection but will only rule out a potential infection of the relative area of specimen origin. As with any laboratory test, the results of the test should be interpreted with consideration of all of the laboratory and clinical findings available.

14 calendar days. Urgent specimens will be granted priority status, and completed as soon as possible.

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2. Faoagali J. Swabs then and now: cotton to flocked nylon. Microbiology Australia. 2010:133-136.
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4. Daxboeck F, Zitta S, Stadler M, Iro E, Krause R. Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum in patients with sterile pyuria. (2005) J Inf. (51): 54-58.