Mycoplasma pulmonis PCR test for rodents

Murine respiratory mycoplasmosis in mice and rats is caused by Mycoplasma pulmonis. In addition to exhibiting high morbidity and reduced birth rate, mice and rats infected with M. pulmonis often develop imperceptible infections. These can cause problems in research studies using these animals, as physiological mechanisms and the immune system may be affected. Experimental results obtained with infected animals can be misleading.

Diagnosis of M. pulmonis infection can be done using serological methods such as microbial isolation or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Cassell et al., 1981). However, in vitro isolation is time-consuming, and serological methods often give incorrect results due to cross-reactivity between different species of rodent mycoplasmas (Cassell et al., 1981; Davis et al., 1987; Davidson et al., 1994). Serological assays also lack sensitivity because a low level of antibody -- early in an infection or in immunodeficient animals -- may not be detected.

Detection of this pathogen by polymerase chain reaction is especially important because it is very sensitive and specific. The result will not be compromised if the infection is at an early stage or the animal is immunodeficient.

Utilities:

Confirm the disease causing agent
Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical diagnosis of M. pulmonis infection.
Ensure that rodent colonies are free of M. pulmonis
Early prevention of spread of M. pulmonis among a colony
Minimize personnel exposure to M. pulmonis
Safety monitoring of biological products that derive from rodents

References:
Cassell, G.H., Lindsey, J.R., Davis, J.K., Davidson, M.K., Brown, M.B. and Mayo, J.G. (1981) Detection of natural Mycoplasma pulmonis infection in rats and mice by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lab Anim Sci 31: 676–682.
Davis, J.K., Cassell, G.H., Gambill, G., Cox, N., Watson, H. and Davidson, M. (1987) Diagnosis of murine mycoplasmal infections by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Isr J Med Sci 23: 717–722.
Davidson, M.K, Davis, J.K., Gambill, G.P., Cassell, G.H. and Lindsey, J.P. (1994) Mycoplasmas of laboratory rodentsMycoplasmas in Animals: Laboratory Diagnosis, Iowa State University Press, Ames p. 97–133.

Specimen requirements: Tracheal wash or nasopharyngeal swab, shipped overnight at room temperature.

For specimen types other than those listed here, please call to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected