THE DETECTION OF MYCOPLASMA-PNEUMONIAE IN NASAL POLYPS

The aetiology and microbial flora of nasal polyps is not well understo od. No study in the literature has reported an association between the sub-bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae and nasal polyps. We have develop ed an assay method using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to amplif y a specific region of the M. pneumoniae DNA in extracts of clinical s amples using species-specific primers designed to a region of the 16S rRNA. The presence of M. pneumoniae was detected in 13/14 (93%) nasal polyps, in 4/5 (80%) rhinosinusitis mucosal samples but only in 1/7 (1 4%) of control samples (obstructive turbinates). An epidemic of infect ions due to M, pneumoniae is expected to occur in 1995. We believe thi s assay could form the basis of a rapid technique for M. pneumoniae de tection. We also propose that the presence of M. pneumoniae may be of importance in the aetiology of nasal polyps.