MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE ANTIGEN

Mycoplasma pneumoniae antigen is produced from whole organisms that have been purified and detergent treated to enrich antigenic proteins and decrease background.

Early diagnosis of M. pneumoniae, usually by an ELISA IgM assay, is important because the infection often responds well to appropriate antibiotics. However, ELISA assays, particularly those for IgM detection, often exhibit poor sensitivity and may, in addition, be susceptible to cross reactivity from other pathogens. This purified antigen preparation, which is highly reactive to IgM, will offer in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) manufacturers the opportunity to introduce next generation ELISA assays which demonstrate greater specificity set against an inherently low background signal.

PRODUCT DETAILS – MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE ANTIGEN

• Native Mycoplasma pneumoniae antigen.
• Detergent inactivated and purified.
• Suitable for immunoassay development.

BACKGROUND

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a type of “atypical” bacteria that commonly causes mild infections of the respiratory system, sometimes referred to as “walking pneumonia” since symptoms tend to be milder than pneumonia caused by other bacteria. People without symptoms may carry the bacteria in their nose or throat and it is spread by coughing or sneezing. The most common type of illness caused by these bacteria, especially in children, is tracheobronchitis, commonly called a chest cold. Symptoms often include being tired and having a sore throat, fever, and cough. Sometimes M. pneumoniae can cause pneumonia, a more serious lung infection and it is recognized as one of the most common causes of community-acquired pneumonia. M. pneumoniae infections are common, and an estimated 2 million cases of M. pneumoniae infections occur each year in the United States alone. Outbreaks occur mostly in crowded environments like college residence halls and nursing homes.