Improved Diagnostics Help to Identify Clinical Features and Biomarkers That Predict Mycoplasma pneumoniae Community-acquired Pneumonia in Children

Meyer Sauteur, Patrick M; Krautter, Selina; Ambroggio, Lilliam; Seiler, Michelle; Paioni, Paolo; Relly, Christa; Capaul, Riccarda; Kellenberger, Christian; Haas, Thorsten; Gysin, Claudine; Bachmann, Lucas M; van Rossum, Annemarie M C; Berger, Christoph

All enrolled patients were investigated for Mp in pharyngeal swab samples by specific real-time PCR [9, 14] . If additional consent was given, blood samples were collected for separation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum [9] . Serum was stored at −80°C. As detailed elsewhere [9] , only CAP patients were included in this study if fresh (isolated ≤4 hours) PBMCs were available to avoid poor ELISpot assay performance, and tested for the presence of Mp IgM ASCs. A CAP patient with a positive Mp IgM ASC ELISpot assay result was considered to have CAP caused by Mp (Mp positive). If Mp IgM ASCs were not detected, the patient was considered to have CAP caused by another etiology (Mp negative). We additionally investigated the frequency of Mp by PCR from pharyngeal swabs among household contacts available for sampling at presentation of index patients.