Diagnostic Accuracy of Serological Tests for Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infections in Children with Pneumonia, Based on Symptom Onset
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children, with a rising incidence of macrolide resistance. Early diagnosis is crucial for reducing the disease burden; however, current diagnostic tools have limitations. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of serological assays and their performance based on symptom onset in children with CAP. Methods: pneumonia (MPP) or non-MPP, from 16 hospitals in Korea. Serological testing included chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and ELISA for detecting IgM and IgG, along with particle agglutination (PA) for total antibody measurements. Serological responses were analyzed at different times after symptom onset (0-4, 5-9, and 10-21 days). Results: for trend<0.001), reaching 97.9% for IgM, 62.5% for IgG, and 94.7% for PA at 10-21 days. Conclusions: The time post-symptom onset significantly influenced the diagnostic utility of serological tests for pediatric MPP, which showed limited value during the early stage of illness. These findings emphasize the importance of symptom onset-based interpretation of serological test results and their utility in complementing PCR when optimizing MPP diagnosis in children.
Source: Annals of Laboratory Medicine
Authors: Gahee Kim, Ki Wook Yun, Dayun Kang, Taek Jin Lee, Byung Wook Eun, Hyunju Lee, Yae-Jean Kim, Doo Ri Kim, Areum Shin, Hyun Mi Kang, Ye Ji Kim, Byung Ok Kwak, Younghee Lee, Ye Kyung Kim, Young June Choe, Woosuck Suh, Kyo Jin Jo, Kyung-Ran Kim, Eun Young Cho, Kyung Min Kim, Joon Kee Lee, Su Eun Park
Institutions: Chosun University, Chosun University Hospital, Seoul National University, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, CHA University Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Eulji University, Eulji Medical Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Konkuk University, Samsung Medical Center, Konkuk University Medical Center, The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University, Catholic University of Korea, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Kangwon National University, Kangwon National University Hospital, Korea University, Korea University Anam Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Chungnam National University, Chungnam National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk National University Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Microbiology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4413958228