: Mycoplasma pneumoniae Antibody, Serum
: This blood test checks for antibodies your immune system makes against Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common bacterium that can cause respiratory infections such as bronchitis or walking pneumonia.
[": The test helps show whether you have been recently or previously exposed to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and can support a diagnosis when combined with your symptoms."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 24310-5
- Short code
- M pneumo Ab sp1 Titr Ser
- Synonyms
- M pneumo Ab sp1 Titr Ser
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
: What This Test Measures
: Your body produces antibodies (immune proteins) in response to infection. This test looks for antibodies against Mycoplasma pneumoniae in a sample of your blood serum. The result is often reported as a titer, which reflects how much antibody is detected and can be compared between samples taken at different times.
: Why It May Be Ordered
: Your healthcare provider may order this test if you have respiratory symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever, or chest discomfort that could be caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, particularly when standard tests do not clearly identify a cause.
: How the Sample Is Collected
: A healthcare professional collects a small blood sample, usually from a vein in your arm, into a tube. The serum is separated from the blood cells in the laboratory and used for testing.
: How Results Are Interpreted
: Results are interpreted alongside your symptoms, physical exam, and other tests. Antibody levels can take time to rise after infection and may stay elevated for a while, so a single result does not always tell whether an infection is current or past. Sometimes a second sample taken later is used to look for a change in the level.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
: Antibody testing for Mycoplasma pneumoniae can support the diagnosis of a recent or past infection but is not definitive on its own. Because antibody levels can persist, results should always be considered together with clinical findings and other laboratory tests. Decisions about treatment should be made by your healthcare provider.
Short name
: M. pneumoniae Antibodies
Frequently asked questions
: Does a positive result always mean I currently have an infection?
: Do I need to fast before this test?
: Can this test tell me which treatment I need?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy