DIAGNOSIS OF MYCOPLASMA-PNEUMONIAE INFECTION IN AUTOPSY AND OPEN-LUNGBIOPSY TISSUES BY NESTED PCR

A nested PCR specific for the Mycoplasma pneumoniae P1 gene was used t o diagnose mycoplasma infection in two cohort patients with severe pne umonia within 24 h of tissue receipt. A postmortem diagnosis of M. pne umoniae infection was obtained for the first patient, who died without the collection of appropriate paired samples for serodiagnosis. An op en-lung biopsy obtained from the second patient allowed a quick, defin itive diagnosis and proper selection of therapy.