Mycoplasma analysis: what its results can tell you, how biomaterial is submitted for analysis and how much the test costs. Mycoplasma is the causative agent of respiratory and other diseases in children. What is a mycoplasma test?

Testing for mycoplasma in women is a fairly common test. Most often, mycoplasma in women is determined by the results of scrapings and blood. Particles for scraping are taken from three places. These are the urethra, cervix and vagina. In addition, you can apply for a blood test for mycoplasma, which is taken from a vein. Regardless of what type of diagnostics you choose, you can get results either in a couple of days or in a few weeks. We are talking about bacterial sowing. Depending on the amount of mycoplasma and the presence of other infections or viruses, the doctor will prescribe treatment.

Before you deal with tests for mycoplasma, it’s worth understanding where it comes from. Mycoplasmosis is understood as a pathology of an infectious nature, which is dangerous primarily due to its complications. Therefore, it is important to get tested for mycoplasmosis as soon as the first signs are noticed.

The problem with this infection is its serious impact on the respiratory and urine output systems. Mycoplasmas act as provocateurs of the corresponding reaction, of which two variants pose the maximum danger. We are talking about Micoplasma hominis and Micoplasma genitalium.

These classes of bacteria can be present in the body and healthy person, with no self-manifestations. Most often, children or adults need to be tested for mycoplasma against the background of immunity that has been undermined by something. Women who have undergone complex gynecological surgery cannot do without analysis.

In addition, there is a compatibility of the disease with already existing sexually transmitted infections. A smear for mycoplasma becomes positive due to unprotected sexual contact. A feature of the disease is its mild symptoms at the initial stage, which do not cause concern to the patient.

Any stressful situation leads to the disguise of the disease as an infection that affects the genitourinary system. After about four to five weeks after the infection occurred, you may experience severe symptoms. If we talk about mycoplasmosis in women, then it can be determined by vaginal discharge of varying intensity and are colorless. When urinating, a burning sensation and itching are recorded. There is pain in the lower abdomen, and it does not go away during sexual intercourse.

Mycoplasma and ureaplasma during pregnancy are a dangerous combination, since it can end in miscarriage or premature delivery. In the period after childbirth, infection manifests itself with fever.

If we are talking about strong half humanity, then in them such an illness manifests itself as moderate, colorless discharge from the urethra. There is pain and burning during urination. The lower abdomen may suffer from nagging pain. In addition, the prostate gland can also be affected by mycoplasma bacteria. In this case, the patient experiences prostatitis symptoms. If the lesion reaches the epididymis, the scrotum becomes red, the epididymis becomes larger, which provokes pain.

Indications for testing

Inflammatory problems associated with the pelvic organs, in most cases, develop against the background of infections, including mycoplasmosis. Doctors emphasize that in lately statistical indicators of the presence of urethritis, vaginosis, cervicitis and tubal infertility in women have increased. To identify what exactly caused urogenital problems, it is recommended to perform a culture for mycoplasma and ureaplasma. As part of the treatment, biomaterial can be collected from the patient several times.

Patients who are found to have genitourinary infection, occurring in a chronic form, especially if the blood test for chlamydia, gonococcus or trichomonas was positive. The logical reason for the prescription is the doctor’s suspicion of mycoplasmosis. Future parents who are planning a pregnancy cannot do without it.

You should not refuse bacterial culture if a woman has previously failed to carry a fetus to term, and miscarriages have occurred more than once. Mycoplasma culture is performed before IVF if preparations are being made for operations related to the pelvic organs. It also acts as a control after the completed therapeutic course.

If we talk about diagnosing mycoplasmosis, doctors most often focus on the indicators of three tests:

  • sowing tank;
  • PCR testing;
  • search for antigens to infection.

It is much less common to encounter verification using the method of activated particles or probes genetic type. Direct microscopy is not performed in this case because the mycoplasmosis prokaryotes are too small or lack clear morphological characteristics. This analysis will be useful only from the point of view of assessing the number of leukocytes in vaginal and other samples.

Delivery of bacterial sowing

Finding mycoplasma is important diagnostic procedure. Using bacterial culture, you can detect the amount and type of mycoplasmosis. At the moment, specialists use several diagnostic methods. Quite often preference is given to bacteriological research.

If we are talking about a female audience, then the material being studied will be a smear. It is taken by a doctor from the urinary canal. Sometimes the fence is made from uterine cervix or from the walls of the vagina. In men, the urethra is used for collection, but testing can also be done using sperm or urine.

If a specialist has reason to suspect the development of mycoplasmosis in the body, it is necessary to first perform tests and then prescribe treatment. Distinctive feature Mycoplasmas can be noted for their high “stickiness” to epithelial cells; for this reason, cells from the mucosa are carefully selected for the smear.

For diagnosis, various test systems are currently used that allow you to quickly determine mycoplasma. Using a special study, the number of cells in a liquid, their type and duration of stay in the human body can be diagnosed. Test systems help to understand which drugs the microorganism is sensitive to. Based on this data, treatment will be selected.

Blood check

The search for mycoplasma in the blood of children and adults is performed quite often, especially in the first stages of the disease, when there are no specific symptoms yet. Blood, in turn, is able to confirm or refute suspicions.

This analysis searches for antibodies that are formed almost instantly when an infection enters the human body. Antibodies are present in a person even after the infection is over, but their norm should not be exceeded. The blood test is performed twice.

First of all, a test is used to confirm or refute a preliminary diagnosis; in the second case, the stage of the disease and a number of details that were not discovered during the first test are determined. The advantage of blood testing is the rapid appearance of antibodies. Already 10 days after infection you will know whether an infection is present.

PCR and enzyme immunoassay

The PCR method uses genetic traces of mycoplasma in a sample or fragment as a basis; the DNA section of the pathogen is determined. There can be no confusion with other infectious representatives. The study requires scrapings, which are taken from the genital tract.

Polymerase chain reaction is an analysis that allows you to detect plasmosis, even if the infection does not show itself at all, including at those moments when it has already become chronic. Other methods cannot boast such high accuracy rates.

In addition, PCR helps with the detection of mycoplasmosis during the incubation period, when there are no clinical manifestations. PCR acts as a rapid diagnostic method, the results of the study will be available within a day or two.

However, it is important to understand that sometimes PCR can produce false results. This is possible if the patient underwent a course of antibacterial therapy less than a month ago. The fact is that when DNA mycoplasma is detected, it is impossible to assess whether this cell is dead or capable of life. That is, the presence of bacteria during PCR diagnostics is recorded even against the background of the absence of an acute process.

False reactions are possible if the biological material was collected incorrectly or the sample was stored incorrectly. If all the rules are followed, then PCR can demonstrate one hundred percent accuracy.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay makes it possible to detect the presence of mycoplasmosis by the isolation of certain antibodies in the blood. It's about antibodies G,A, M. This method will help demonstrate what stage the disease is in: chronic or acute.

If it was possible to isolate type A antibodies, then we are talking about recent infection. The presence of G antibodies in the blood in combination with the absence of M indicates that the body has already encountered such an infection and managed to defeat it. We must not forget that such an analysis result may indicate carriage of mycoplasmosis.

The accuracy of this analysis option is up to 80 percent. False readings are most often caused by the fact that the body may contain antibodies that were formed as a result of an illness that was suffered a long time ago, and they were activated against the background of other mycoplasma infections or during respiratory damage.

Getting tested for mycoplasma is never a bad idea. It is recommended to do it not only if mycoplasmosis is suspected, but also for the purpose of prevention. Couples planning to become pregnant are especially often tested for mycoplasma. Many people mistakenly think that only women should be tested when planning a pregnancy. In fact, men are also required to do a test and undergo full treatment together with their significant other. This approach allows you to get a positive result.

IN in good condition mycoplasma does not pose a threat.

Mycoplasma is a conditionally pathogenic microorganism that, when exposed to provoking factors, begins to actively multiply. This leads to exceeding the established norm for the concentration of mycoplasma in the human body. As a result, mycoplasmosis is diagnosed, which is often accompanied by inflammatory processes genitourinary system and the addition of other infectious diseases.

That is, in a normal state, mycoplasma does not pose a threat. Only under certain negative impacts mycoplasma becomes pathogenic. That is why mycoplasma is classified as opportunistic microorganisms.

Although pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant are more often tested for mycoplasma, anyone can be tested for mycoplasma for one purpose or another. The fact is that mycoplasma can provoke various diseases genitourinary system and respiratory tract. For example, mycoplasma pneumonia provokes pneumonia and other diseases, accompanying the patient with nonspecific symptoms. That is, without tests it is impossible to understand what exactly happened and what is the cause of the disease. Doctors often mistakenly prescribe incorrect treatment, since no tests were performed to detect mycoplasmosis.

In the same way, it is recommended to take tests for mycoplasma genitalium, which can lead to serious problems with the genitourinary system. These microorganisms are potentially dangerous for pregnant women and pregnant women, and can also lead to infertility in men.

What does this all mean? This means that the mycoplasmosis test is the recommended test to prevent severe serious illnesses and lead to undesirable consequences for men's, women's and children's health.

But what tests should you take? There are several types of tests designed specifically to detect mycoplasma and mycoplasmosis:

  • background analysis;
  • serological study;
  • immunofluorescence;
  • gene probing, etc.

In fact, among them, three are considered the most informative and accurate:

  • Bacteriological research.

Backanalysis

Bakanalysis or tank culture for the study of mycoplasma is intended to detect the cause of an infectious disease and identify the number of pathogens. The calculation is made for 1 ml of liquid.

If the detected amount is less than 10,000 units, then this result is considered a low titer. Anything above this unit is a sign of inflammatory processes and the acute course of an infectious disease.

With the help of bacterial culture, the significance and types of other microorganisms, viruses and infections that can live in the human microflora are determined. They can occur in parallel with mycoplasma, causing various complications.

In total, culture for mycoplasma allows you to answer several important questions:

  • what is the concentration of mycoplasma microorganisms in the body;
  • are there any concomitant infectious, viral or bacterial diseases;
  • how resistant mycoplasma is to various antibiotics;
  • how the mycoplasma of a particular patient will react to various antibacterial agents.

All this helps to find optimal ways to solve the problem, that is, prescribe adequate and highly effective treatment.

A smear for mycoplasma in women is taken from:

  • cervix;
  • urethra;
  • vagina.

For men, biological tests are also carried out, but in their cases samples are required from:

  • urethra;
  • prostate gland;
  • urine;
  • sperm.

It is important to take into account that the analysis will give the most accurate result if you do not take antibiotics first and do not go to the toilet for 2-3 hours immediately before the tests.

Smears are not taken during menstruation, so you will have to wait about another week after the cycle ends.

If a specialist takes samples correctly, the test results will be accurate and of high quality. Inexperienced specialists do not scrape off the mucous membrane well, so they fail to collect enough material. As a result, the analysis turns out to be incorrect and does not show the real picture of what is happening.

PCR

For mycoplasmosis, the PCR test is considered one of the most effective. With its help, the genetic material of ureaplasma is detected in the samples taken.

An important advantage of the polymerase chain reaction is that when taking a test for mycoplasma, it is impossible to confuse this microorganism with any other. The analysis requires not blood, but a scraping taken from the patient’s genitourinary system. Often we are talking about scraping birth canal women.

By taking a PCR test for mycoplasma, you guarantee yourself an accurate and detailed result. Alas, many alternative methods studies cannot boast of such effectiveness. The only disadvantage of PCR is the fairly high cost of the analysis. Plus, not every clinic has the appropriate equipment and capabilities to conduct PCR tests.

However, if you take a PCR test, it will allow you to:

  • detect mycoplasma even in small concentrations;
  • confirm the diagnosis of mycoplasmosis;
  • identify the asymptomatic course of mycoplasmosis, which occurs quite often;
  • detect a hidden form of mycoplasmosis;
  • identify chronic mycoplasmosis;
  • identify mycoplasmosis during incubation period diseases when there are no manifestations.

At the same time, the PCR test is considered a quick test, since the patient receives the results in 1-2 days. This depends on the medical institution, the workload of the laboratories and the direct attitude of the medical staff to their duties.

You should be careful with PCR, since in some cases the patient receives a false result. There are several reasons for this.

  1. The patient was treated with antibiotics before being tested for mycoplasma. If this was earlier than a month before the test, the result may be false;
  2. PCR testing cannot determine whether cells are living or not;
  3. The peculiarity of PCR analysis is that it reveals the presence of microorganisms. Cells may be already dead, however, the test will show their presence;
  4. When taking blood or a smear for PCR, the established rules, samples were moved incorrectly or diagnostic standards were not followed.

If everything is done correctly, then the accuracy of the results in some cases reaches 100%.

ELISA

ELISA or enzyme immunoassays help detect igg, A and M antibodies. Immunoglobulins are special substances that our body produces to fight microorganisms.

The presence or absence of igg antibodies in the blood helps to determine at what stage mycoplasmosis is. igg analysis may indicate chronic or acute form mycoplasmosis.

For example, antibodies A are produced by the body if mycoplasma has recently become active. But igg antibodies indicate that your body has already coped with mycoplasma at one time or that it is a carrier. So igg antibodies provide important data.

Test accuracy rates are 80%.

Although PCR analysis is classified as high-accuracy, ELISA and bacterial culture are also important when studying mycoplasma. It is necessary to take a blood test for mycoplasma if you are planning a pregnancy or if you suspect mycoplasmosis.

Chlamydia represents a whole class of pathogens that cause the most various diseases. For example, psittacosis is a disease that occurs in a form close to pneumonia. The causative agents of psittacosis are staphylococci and streptococci, a type of chlamydia found in wild and domestic birds. Infection occurs by airborne droplets or through the mouth, after contact with feathers or surfaces on which sick birds have been. Another common carrier of chlamydial infection is cats, which transmit the infection through scratches.

Chlamydia is a urogenital infectious disease that is sexually transmitted. Patients with chlamydial infection experience pain and itching in urethra and genitals, nagging pain in the lower abdomen and groin area. Chlamydia requires immediate treatment. Untimely or incorrect treatment of chlamydial infection can cause various complications, ranging from the occurrence of inflammatory lesions on the skin and inflammation internal organs ending in infertility.

Chlamydia poses a huge threat to pregnancy, increasing the risk of miscarriage, promoting premature birth and fetal infection.

The “radius of destruction” of mycoplasmas includes not only genitourinary tract, but also the respiratory system. When infected with mycoplasmas, the patient may experience symptoms of inflammatory processes in the throat, lungs and bronchi.

The main tool for diagnosing chlamydia and mycoplasmosis is a blood test. Currently the most in effective ways Such analysis is carried out using the ELISA method and the PCR method.

Interpretation of the analysis using the ELISA method

At the onset of the disease, a blood test shows the presence of IgM antibodies. Duration initial stage The duration of the disease depends on the type of infection and the individual characteristics of the person’s immunity, but usually lasts from one to three weeks after infection. If IgM antibodies are detected in a blood test for chlamydia or mycoplasmosis, the doctor diagnoses the acute phase or relapse of a chronic disease.

Thus, the transcript of the analysis displays the following indicators: anti-Chlamydia trahomatis IgM, anti-Chlamydia trahomatis IgA, anti-Chlamydia trahomatis IgG, anti-Chlamydia pneumonia IgM, anti-Chlamydia pneumonia IgA, anti-Chlamydia pneumonia IgG and anti-Mycoplasma trahomatis IgM, anti-Mycoplasma trahomatis IgA, anti-Mycoplasma trahomatis IgG, anti-Mycoplasma pneumonia IgM, anti-Mycoplasma pneumonia IgA, anti-Mycoplasma pneumonia IgG.

Decoding the analysis using the CPR method

The PCR (polysized chain reaction) method is currently recognized as the most effective for diagnosing infectious diseases. Based on microbiological analysis, it works with genetic material, thereby ensuring the highest sensitivity of the study. Minimal amounts of biological material are sufficient to diagnose the type of infectious pathogen, assess its quantity and location. In the transcript of the analysis you will see the indicators Chlamydia trachomatis DNA, Chlamydia pneumonia DNA, Mycoplasma trachomatis DNA, Mycoplasma pneumonia DNA.

As you understand, despite advances in the field of molecular biology and medicine, test results may not fully adequately reflect the picture of what is happening. And situations in which the results of high-precision analyzes for the same indicators differ significantly can confuse even a true professional. Thus, when diagnosing chlamydia and mycoplasmosis, the results of blood tests performed using ELISA and PCR techniques may give different results. This may happen for the following reasons.

After recovery, IgG antibodies may remain in the blood serum for a long time. They can be mistakenly interpreted as signs of infection in the body. At the same time, a blood test using the PCR method, aimed at detecting the DNA of pathogens that are actually absent, will give a negative answer.

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Mycoplasmosis is a disease that, if developed, can cause serious complications in the body. Therefore, the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease should serve as a reason to conduct research for the presence of the pathogen in the body. To identify and as soon as possible start treatment for mycoplasma, tests should be carried out as early as possible. The causative agent of the disease is quite dangerous, especially during pregnancy, so contacting a doctor if signs of it are detected is mandatory.

Features of the disease

The disease is caused by a microorganism belonging to the class Mycoplasma, which is located on the mucous membranes of the genital organs, and in some cases in the respiratory tract. The peculiarity of this pathogen is that it can remain in the human body for quite a long time asymptomatically, that is, without any manifestations.

Progression of the disease is usually observed after severe gynecological diseases in women, as well as with a significant decrease protective functions body. It is worth noting that mycoplasmosis often occurs against the background of diseases of the reproductive system such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhea and herpes.

Infection in the overwhelming majority of cases occurs through sexual contact, but the pathogen can also penetrate through household means - through personal hygiene products. Therefore in for preventive purposes You should strictly observe hygiene and use only your own personal hygiene items. Infection can also occur in utero - and this microorganism is extremely dangerous for the fetus.

The onset of the disease is usually accompanied by mild symptoms, which is why patients do not immediately pay attention to them. The development of mycoplasmosis and the worsening of its symptoms occurs several weeks after infection. The main symptoms of the disease include:

  • In women transparent discharge from the vagina (scanty or very abundant);
  • Discharge (clear) from the urethral canal in men;
  • Aching painful sensations lower abdomen;
  • Unpleasant sensations when urinating (burning, itching);
  • Painful sensations during sexual intercourse.

In men, mycoplasmosis can also affect the prostate gland, in which case signs of prostatitis begin to appear.

Mycoplasma often causes respiratory and urogenital diseases, since this pathogen is one of the most aggressive among all intracellular organisms. That is why, at the slightest suspicion of this disease, urgently They do tests that can confirm its presence.

Types of pathogens of mycoplasmosis

Pathogenic, causing disease are microscopic organisms capable of causing infectious and inflammatory processes in the body of men, women and even children. Testing for mycoplasmosis can reveal different types mycoplasma:

  • Pneumonia (Mycoplasma pneumoniae);
  • Hominis (Mycoplasma hominis);
  • Mycoplasma genitalium;
  • Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Of the listed microorganisms, only the first can cause respiratory diseases, while the rest cause genitourinary tract diseases.

Indications for testing

IN mandatory Mycoplasmosis is diagnosed in the following cases:

  • When planning a pregnancy (for both spouses);
  • Before carrying out the IVF protocol;
  • Before surgical intervention to the pelvic organs;
  • If there is a history of miscarriages, miscarriage;
  • If the causative agent of the disease is detected in a sexual partner;
  • Infertility of unknown origin;
  • Frequent manifestations of candidiasis;
  • At inflammatory processes in the urethra or vagina for unknown reasons;
  • The appearance of symptoms of mycoplasmosis.

It is especially important to test for mycoplasma in women during pregnancy, as this infection can lead to miscarriage.

Since the symptoms of mycoplasmosis do not appear immediately, conducting research will help to detect the disease in a timely manner in order to begin treatment.

What tests are performed?

To identify mycoplasmosis, diagnosis is needed, which is carried out using several methods. Three types of research are widely used today:

  • Bacteriological;
  • Polymerase chain reaction method;
  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

There are other methods, but they are much less effective, so experts have abandoned their use.

Bacteriological method

Otherwise it is called cultural. This method is considered the most precise research, allowing to detect the causative agent of mycoplasmosis in the body. It is carried out by growing microorganisms from the patient’s biological material in special media in laboratory conditions.


“Tank inoculation allows not only to detect mycoplasma, but also to find out the number of microorganisms in a milliliter of the biological material being studied.”

Another advantage of this test is the ability to test how microorganisms respond to different antibiotics to find optimal treatment diseases.

Read also on the topic

Mycoplasma in men - causes, signs and treatment

A significant disadvantage of such a study is its duration - culture for mycoplasma can take up to two weeks before obtaining the result. But the reliability of the obtained indicators will be very high. To detect these microorganisms in domestic medicine use special tests, which can detect mycoplasma hominis and ureaplasma. But not all types of pathogen can be detected as a result bacteriological research. Mycoplasma genitalia cannot be determined using bacterial culture, since it grows too slowly (it may take up to 5 months from the moment the smear is taken to obtain reliable results).

Biological material for research in men is obtained from the first portion of urine or by taking a smear from the urethra. Women donate morning urine, vaginal scrapings, or cervical smear. If the presence of mycoplasma causing respiratory diseases is suspected, sputum is collected for analysis.

The most accurate result will be if there are no foreign impurities in the smear or urine, so biological material is collected from men no earlier than 3 hours after urination, and from women a couple of days before or after the end of menstruation. Also an important condition the reliability of the results is the absence of treatment with any types of antibiotics in last month before donating biological material.

Serological studies

Carrying out enzyme immunoassay is also in a frequent way determining the presence of mycoplasma in the body. This study is based on the detection of special antibodies in the blood - IgA.

Detection of antibodies to mycoplasma in the blood is possible almost immediately after infection. And after complete recovery, they are also present in the ELISA results, but their quantitative indicators in this case they do not exceed the norm. It is recommended to carry out the analysis twice for accurate detection of the disease, since for the production immunoglobulins IgA It takes about 10 days from the moment the pathogen enters the human body. An increase in IgM and IgG titer values ​​indicates the presence of infectious process requiring treatment.

The presence of IgM in the blood test results indicates an acute course of the infection, and the detection of IgG indicates that the body has previously encountered this microorganism. If both titers are present, they speak of an exacerbation chronic process. Thus, when analyzing for mycoplasma hominis, IgG titers indicate that at the moment acute course there is no disease.


It is important that the study results are correctly deciphered according to reference values ​​(the norm and deviations from it). Negative results may indicate either the absence of mycoplasma in the blood or a recent infection (less than 10 days), when antibodies have not yet been developed (which is why it is necessary to take the test again). A questionable result indicates a sluggish infection or a disease that has chronic form. Positive indicators indicate the presence of a current infection at the moment. If you receive a positive result, experts also recommend undergoing the PCR method or donating a culture test.

Taking blood for analysis does not require special preparation from the patient. Blood is donated in the morning on an empty stomach, and the results of the study will be ready in about 1.5 hours.

But the effectiveness of such research is somewhat reduced due to the peculiarities of the interaction of mycoplasmas with human body. This pathogen can interact with human cells, which helps them evade the immune response. Because of this, healthy patients may have IgA antibodies, which indicate the presence of the disease, and those patients who have an infection sometimes do not respond to the presence of the microorganism in the blood. That is why this method is used less often than a smear for mycoplasma.

ELISA is usually used for infertility and recurrent miscarriage, some types of complications after childbirth, if the blood test for chlamydia, trichomonas, gonococci, etc. is negative. In such cases, research is most revealing.

Polymerase chain reaction method

This type of research is the most effective, as it allows the detection of mycoplasma DNA in the patient. The PCR method gives much more often than other methods positive results, allowing timely treatment to begin. An important feature of this method is that it detects mycoplasma genitalium - this is the only way to detect the presence of such a microorganism.

Researchers suggest that three types of tiny bacteria are responsible for a number of pathologies of the respiratory system, urogenital tract, digestive system. These are single-celled microorganisms Mycoplasma pneumoniae, M. genitalium, M. hominis, which do not have a strong cell membrane. Mycoplasmas most often infect epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract. In second place are infectious diseases genitourinary system. Active proliferation of bacteria disrupts the functions of many organs.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes tonsillopharyngitis, sinusitis, tracheobronchitis, lung atypical pneumonia. The child feels a sore throat and has obsessive cough, low-grade fever. Symptoms and treatment of mycoplasma in children are similar to ARVI; There are known cases of mixed infections. Further proliferation of pathogens in the respiratory tract often leads to the development of pneumonia.

Mycoplasmas are found in association with ureaplasma, chlamydia, and are combined with viral infection, namely with adenoviruses, influenza and parainfluenza viruses.

Outbreaks of acute respiratory diseases In children from 5 to 15 years of age, the entire cold period of the year is recorded. In the structure of acute respiratory infections, mycoplasmosis accounts for only about 5%, but this figure increases approximately 10 times every 2–4 years during epidemics. Mycoplasma causes up to 20% of acute pneumonia.

Symptoms and diagnosis of mycoplasmosis of the upper respiratory tract

The incubation period of the pathogen ranges from 3–10 days to 4 weeks. The difficulty in recognizing the respiratory form of mycoplasma is that clinical picture usually resembles ARVI. Children, unlike adults, react more sharply to the activity of the pathogen. There are manifestations of intoxication, runny nose, paroxysmal cough which may result in vomiting.

Initial symptoms of mycoplasma in a child:

  1. The elevated temperature persists for 5–10 days up to 37.5°C;
  2. sore, itchy and sore throat;
  3. runny nose, stuffy nose;
  4. conjunctivitis;
  5. headache;
  6. dry cough;
  7. weakness.


When examining the throat, you may notice redness of the oropharyngeal mucosa. It is the similarity of the course of respiratory mycoplasmosis in children with ARVI that makes diagnosing the disease difficult. Parents give the child antitussives and syrups to improve expectoration. However, such treatment most often does not bring results, and the cough continues for several months. Against the background of mycoplasma activity in the upper respiratory tract, newborns, premature infants and children under 8 years of age develop sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

Pulmonary mycoplasmosis

Clinical manifestations of mycoplasma pneumonia resemble pulmonary chlamydia. Disease therapy also has many common features. The similarity of two different microbial infections is caused by their small size, compared to other bacteria, and the absence of a solid cell wall. Mycoplasmas cannot be seen under a conventional light microscope.

Signs pulmonary form mycoplasmosis in children:

  • the disease begins suddenly or as a continuation of acute respiratory viral infection;
  • chills, fever up to 39°C;
  • dry cough gives way to wet cough;
  • sputum is scanty, purulent;
  • headaches and muscle pain.


A pediatrician, listening to a child's lungs, notes hard breathing and dry wheezing. X-ray shows that there are scattered foci of inflammation in the lung tissues. The doctor suggests taking a test for mycoplasma in children - a blood test from a vein, which will confirm or refute the initial diagnosis. To recognize mycoplasma infection, methods of enzyme immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction (ELISA and PCR, respectively) are used. The accumulation of antibodies belonging to the IgG and IgM types occurs during the body’s immune response to the activity of mycoplasma.

Mycoplasmosis of the kidneys and other organs

Children can become infected from adults through direct contact - sleeping in a shared bed, using the same toilet seat, or towels. It happens that personnel become the source of mycoplasma kindergarten. In the respiratory and urogenital forms of mycoplasmosis, epithelial cells are mainly affected. Begin dystrophic changes tissue, its necrosis.

Infection of the genitourinary system in adolescents leads to cystitis, pyelonephritis, and vaginitis. Mycoplasmas initiate pathological processes in the liver, in small intestine, V various departments head and spinal cord. Mycoplasmosis in girls adolescence manifests itself in the form of vulvovaginitis and mild lesions of the urogenital tract. The course of the disease is most often asymptomatic; in severe forms, pain occurs in the lower abdomen and mucous discharge appears.

Mycoplasma in the blood of a child can cause the development of a generalized form, which is characterized by damage respiratory system and a number of internal organs. The liver increases in size and jaundice begins. Possible development of meningitis, brain abscess, meningoencephalitis. A pink rash appears on the body, and the eyes become watery and red (conjunctivitis).

Treatment of bacterial infection

If you are only worried about a runny nose, low-grade fever, then antibacterial drugs will not be required. Antibiotic treatment is a specific therapy for mycoplasmosis. Macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines are considered the drugs of choice. Other medications are given depending on the symptoms.


Oral antibiotics:

  1. Erythromycin - 20–50 mg per 1 kg of body weight per day for 5–7 days. Daily dose divided into three steps.
  2. Clarithromycin - 15 mg per 1 kg of body weight. Give in the morning and evening, with an interval of 12 hours between doses.
  3. Azithromycin - 10 mg per 1 kg of body weight on the first day. In the next 3-4 days - 5-10 mg per kg of body weight per day.
  4. Clindamycin - 20 mg per 1 kg of body weight per day, 2 times a day.

Mycoplasmas grow more slowly than other bacteria. Therefore, the duration of treatment is not 5–12 days, but 2–3 weeks.

Clindamycin belongs to the lincosamide antibiotics. Clarithromycin, erythromycin and azithromycin belong to the group of macrolides. Tetracycline antibiotics are used less and less due to the spread of bacterial strains resistant to them. There is a practice of combining antimicrobials, differing in the mechanism of action. For example, doctors may prescribe a combination of erythromycin and tetracycline. Another option is to change the antibiotic during a long course of treatment. The choice of remedy is influenced by the child’s allergies to substances belonging to certain groups of antibacterial drugs.

Tablet forms of antibiotics are more difficult to give to children, especially if it is necessary to calculate the dose and divide one capsule into several doses. Doctors recommend treating children under 8–12 years of age with suspensions prepared from antibacterial substance in the form of powder and water. Such products are produced in glass bottles and equipped with a dosage pipette, a convenient measuring cup or spoon. The drug in pediatric dosage usually tastes sweet.

Concomitant treatment (according to symptoms)

A child infected with mycoplasma is given high temperature non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate the patient's condition. Children are prescribed ibuprofen or paracetamol in the form of an oral suspension, rectal suppositories. You can use a vasoconstrictor nasal spray, take antihistamine drops or oral syrup (Zyrtec or similar). "Zodak", "Loratadine", "Fenistil" for the youngest patients).

Concomitant treatment reduces irritation and sore throat, but does not affect the causative agent of the disease.

Anti-cough medications, such as Sinekod, are recommended to be given only in the first days. Then the child will be able to rest from attacks of painful coughing. In the future, the doctor prescribes expectorants to thin and facilitate the discharge of sputum. Justified use for the treatment of mycoplasma pharmaceutical drugs And folk remedies, strengthening the immune system.

Mycoplasmas in children after the acute period of the disease remain in the body, although in small quantities. Full recovery does not occur, immunity to the pathogen is not developed. Against this background, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and bronchitis periodically occur. Often respiratory and urogenital mycoplasmosis become chronic.

Prevention of mycoplasma

It is recommended to isolate a child with mycoplasmosis from other children for 5–7 days in case of a respiratory form bacterial infection, on days 14–21 - with the pulmonary variety. The same preventive measures as with others acute diseases upper respiratory tract - ARVI, flu, sore throat. There are no medications that a child or adult can take to prevent mycoplasma infection.

Mycoplasma is the causative agent of respiratory and other diseases in children updated: September 21, 2016 by: admin