Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Children With and Without Community-acquired Pneumonia. What do PCR and Serology Say?

Background: IgM titers of Mycoplasma pneumoniae can remain high for months or years, and specific DNA can be detected in asymptomatic people.

Methods: We compared the performance of serology and PCR in children with and without community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) for the diagnosis of M. pneumoniae.

Genotyping and macrolide resistance of Mycoplasma pneumoniae identified in children with community-acquired pneumonia in Medellín, Colombia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the genotypes and the main characteristics of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae in hospitalized children in Medellín and neighboring municipalities during the period 2011-2012.

Methods: The M. pneumoniae genotype was determined by PCR and sequencing of the p1 and 23S rRNA genes from induced sputum samples and nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS).

Comparison of serological methods with PCR-based methods for the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia caused by atypical bacteria.

Background: The diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae is traditionally based on cultures and serology, which have special requirements, are time-consuming, and offer delayed results that limit their clinical usefulness of these techniques. We sought to develop a multiplex PCR (mPCR) method to diagnosis these bacterial infections in CAP patients and to compare the diagnostic yields obtained from mPCR of nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs), nasopharyngeal swabs (NPSs), and induced sputum (IS) with those obtained with specific PCR commercial kits, paired serology, and urinary antigen.

Results: A total of 225 persons were included.

[Microscopic diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in bronchoalveolar lavage and oropharyngeal wash samples of immunocompromised patients with pneumonia].

Introduction: The diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is based on observation of the microorganism using several staining techniques in respiratory samples, especially bronchoalveolar lavage and induced sputum. Recently, the fungus also has been detected in oropharyngeal wash samples, but only using molecular tests.

Objective: The diagnostic yield of two microscopic stains, toluidine blue O and direct fluorescent antibody, was compared in bronchoalveolar lavage and oropharyngeal wash samples for the detection of P.

[Molecular and immunological analyses suggest the absence of hydrophilic surface proteins in Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis].

Introduction: The genus Leishmania is divided into two subgenera: Leishmania and Viannia. The two subgenera present several important differences such as the pathology they cause in susceptible hosts, their in vitro growth behavior, their genetic characteristics, and the expression pattern of several proteins, including those of the hydrophilic surface protein family.

Objective: To characterize the hydrophilic surface protein family in Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis.