Mycoplasma Pneumoniae IgM

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Used for early diagnosis of recent or active Mycoplasma infection

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Mycoplasma Pneumoniae IgM - Comprehensive Medical Test Information Guide

Why is it done?
- Test Purpose: This test detects IgM antibodies against Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes atypical pneumonia and other respiratory infections. IgM antibodies are produced during the early stages of infection.
- Primary Indications: Diagnosis of acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection; evaluation of atypical pneumonia; suspected walking pneumonia; persistent cough with fever; respiratory symptoms suggestive of M. pneumoniae infection; immunocompromised patients with respiratory symptoms.
- Typical Timing: Performed during the acute phase of illness (first 1-2 weeks of symptoms); most useful within the first 2-3 weeks of infection when IgM antibodies are at peak levels; repeat testing may be done after 2-4 weeks if initial results are negative but clinical suspicion remains high.
Normal Range
- Reference Values: Negative: <0.9 Index (or <1:16 titer depending on lab methodology); Positive: ≥1.1 Index (or ≥1:32 titer); Borderline/Equivocal: 0.9-1.0 Index (may require repeat testing).
- Units of Measurement: Index units (or reciprocal titer ratios); commonly expressed as negative/positive or specific antibody levels measured via ELISA, immunofluorescence, or chemiluminescence immunoassay.
- Interpretation: Negative result indicates no current acute infection; Positive result suggests acute or recent M. pneumoniae infection; Borderline results require clinical correlation and possible repeat testing; results should be interpreted alongside clinical presentation, symptoms duration, and other diagnostic findings.
Interpretation
- Positive IgM Result: Indicates acute M. pneumoniae infection; patient likely in early stages of disease (within 1-4 weeks); consistent with symptomatic respiratory infection; requires clinical confirmation with symptoms such as cough, fever, malaise, and respiratory findings.
- Negative IgM Result: Suggests absence of acute infection; may indicate very early infection (before antibody formation); or past infection with IgM decline; in early illness (<1 week), negative result does not exclude infection.
- High Titers: Strong evidence of acute infection; typically occur in second to fourth week of illness; greater likelihood of active M. pneumoniae disease; may correlate with severity of clinical symptoms.
- Borderline/Equivocal Results: Require repeat testing after 7-10 days; rising titers suggest acute infection; stable or falling titers suggest past infection or false positive; clinical correlation is essential.
- Factors Affecting Results: Timing of specimen collection relative to symptom onset; individual immune response variation; immunocompromised status; antibiotic therapy (may reduce antibody production if started very early); cross-reactivity with other pathogens; laboratory methodology variations; concomitant infections.
Associated Organs
- Primary Organ System: Respiratory system (lungs, bronchi, trachea, bronchioles); upper and lower respiratory tract involvement; can affect mucosal epithelium and cause inflammation.
- Commonly Associated Conditions: Atypical pneumonia (walking pneumonia); acute bronchitis; tracheobronchitis; pharyngitis; otitis media; sinusitis; exacerbation of asthma; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation; bronchiectasis.
- Extrapulmonary Complications: Myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation); pericarditis (pericardium inflammation); hemolytic anemia; Stevens-Johnson syndrome; erythema multiforme; encephalitis (rare); meningitis (rare); arthralgia and arthritis; vasculitis.
- Potential Complications: Severe pneumonia requiring hospitalization; respiratory failure in severe cases; immunocompromised patients at higher risk for severe disease; recurrent infections possible; post-infection cough that may persist for weeks; secondary bacterial superinfection.
Follow-up Tests
- Confirmatory Tests: Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgG antibodies (indicates past infection or late acute infection); Mycoplasma pneumoniae PCR (polymerase chain reaction) for direct organism detection; M. pneumoniae culture (gold standard but slow); chest X-ray to assess pneumonia severity.
- Additional Diagnostic Tests: Cold agglutinin test (complement-fixing antibodies); complete blood count (CBC); liver function tests; respiratory viral panel (to rule out other pathogens); sputum culture and Gram stain; blood cultures if bacteremia suspected.
- Monitoring Tests: Serial IgM testing (repeat at 7-10 days if initial negative and high clinical suspicion); IgG testing at 2-4 weeks for convalescent phase confirmation; follow-up chest imaging if pneumonia diagnosed; clinical symptom assessment at 2-4 weeks.
- Specialized Tests: Echocardiogram if myocarditis suspected; cardiac troponin and BNP for cardiac involvement; electrocardiogram (ECG); pulmonary function tests if chronic symptoms; skin biopsy if Stevens-Johnson syndrome suspected.
Fasting Required?
- Fasting Status: NO - Fasting is not required for this test.
- Patient Preparation: No special dietary restrictions; patient may eat and drink normally before blood draw; maintain regular hydration; arrive with adequate time for specimen collection.
- Specimen Collection: Serum sample (3-5 mL blood); standard venipuncture with appropriate collection tube; separate serum from blood cells; protect from light when applicable; proper labeling with patient information and time of collection.
- Medications: No medications need to be withheld before this test; antibiotics (macrolides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones) do not interfere with IgM antibody detection; continue all routine medications as directed by physician.
- Timing Considerations: Specimen should be collected during symptomatic period (ideally within 1-2 weeks of symptom onset); early morning collection preferred but not required; avoid excessive arm movement before venipuncture to prevent hemolysis.

How our test process works!