Preferred Sample Type
Suitable Specimen Types
- Sputum
- BAL
- BAL
- Throat Swab
At least 500ul of specimen will be required for testing
Turnaround Time
3 daysSample Stability
Where possible, respiratory specimens should be stored at +4°C.All specimens should be transported to the laboratory the same day. After processing, all specimens will be stored at -20°C for 3 months.Mycoplasma pneumoniae real-time PCR
General Information
The assay is used for the qualitative detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA in respiratory specimens (throat swabs, BAL or sputum). Real-time detection is performed on the Roche FLOW system using an in-house primer/probe set targeting the Mycoplasma pneumoniae P1 cytadhesin gene. Tests are usually performed in parallel with our routine respiratory virus RT-PCR screen, although a stand-alone test may be requested.
Patient Preparation
For general aspects of taking respiratory samples we recommend that users follow either their local protocols or “The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures”.
Sputum
- Ask patient to take three deep breaths in through their nose, exhale through pursed lips and then force a deep cough.
- Ask patient to expectorate into a 20ml white top sterile sample container.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)
- BAL should be collected according to local protocols using sterile fluids as the instillate.
- Recovered lavage fluid should be aseptically transferred to a 20ml white top sterile sample container
Throat swabs for virology / molecular tests
- Use a green topped virology transport medium kit (labelled as Green Top Sigma-VIROCULT swab).
- Throat: Ask patient to sit upright facing a strong light, tilt head backwards, open mouth and stick out tongue. Depress tongue with a spatula. Ask patient to say ‘Ah’. Quickly but gently roll the swab over the tonsils and posterior pharynx
- Place the swab(s) in the transport liquid and snap off the swab shaft at the score line so it fits into the sample pot.
- Close the cap tightly and label with patient information.
- Label as “throat swab”
Specifications
- EQA Scheme?: Yes
- EQA Status: QCMD