Molecular detection of Mycoplasma amphoriforme and Ureaplasma spp. from patient samples previously investigated for Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

M. amphorifrome(MAM), is a novel pathogen associated with chronic respiratory tract infections in immunocompromised patients, but prevalence in immunocompetent patients is not established. Ureaplasma spp. are a known cause of hyperammonaemia in lung transplant patients. To date, their prevalence has been well documented in neonatal lungs but observations in adults is lacking.

161 samples were obtained from Public Health England, submitted previously for M. pnuemoniae (MPN) investigation, which were screened for MAM using quantitative PCR. MAM positive samples were then screened for macrolide resistance using 23s rRNA (domain V) PCR amplification and Sanger-sequencing. The 161 samples were also screened for Ureaplasma spp. using conventional PCR involving different primer sets for initial screening and subsequent differentiation between Ureaplasma spp. by targeting a variable region.

10 of 161 samples were found positive for MAM (6.2%), all of which were found to be genotypically macrolide susceptible and 9/10 positives were isolated from males. Three of the total positives were previously identified to be MPN positives. None of the samples taken during the summer months had any MAM DNA detected. Five of the 161 samples tested positive for U. parvum (3.1%), 3/5 of which were from isolated from males.

These data suggest that MAM maybe an emerging pathogen that can cause persistent respiratory infections. The lungs may represent a possible reservoir for U. parvum and source for donor-derived lung infections. Further investigation is required into the prevalence of these organisms.