Abstract | November 10, 2020
The Limited Use of Mycoplasma IgM Antibody Testing in a Rural Hospital
Learning Objectives
- Discuss recent guidelines and management of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and contrast the differences between Mycoplasma IgM antibody testing and PCR testing.
Background: There have been multiple instances where antibiotics have been used in the treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae based solely on IgM antibody testing. Studies suggest PCR testing has a higher sensitivity and specificity for detecting mycoplasma although mixed results exist.
Objective: In patients living in a rural community, determine the usefulness of IgM antibody testing when compared with a Respiratory Viral Panel (RVP) to diagnose and treat mycoplasma pneumonia.
Design: Conduct a retrospective chart review between 2017-2019 of patients who received both a mycoplasma IgM antibody test and respiratory viral panel to determine their concordance. Tests had to be performed within 24 hours of each other.
Setting: Rural hospital in Southwest Virginia (Norton Community Hospital)
Data sources: Soarian Electronic Health Record
Data extraction: Compiled by in-house lab department on excel. Data was reviewed, extrapolated and synthesized by authors.
Results: 672 respiratory viral panels with mycoplasma IgM antibody tests were performed between 2017-2019. 72 had positive IgM results with negative RVP results. One test was congruent with a positive RVP and IgM.
Limitations: Some patients had repeat testing throughout the 3-year span. Clinical presentation, demographics, and age were not taken into consideration.
Conclusions: Based on a 3-year data review, mycoplasma IgM antibody testing has a high discordance with mycoplasma PCR testing.
Implications: Mycoplasma IgM antibody testing may have limited utility in the diagnosis and treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in the rural Southwest Virginia region.
Primary Funding: Norton Community Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Program. No outside funding sources.