Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgG Antibodies, Serum, Qualitative Immunoassay

What Is Being Tested

The test measures IgG-class antibodies that your immune system makes in response to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common bacterium that can cause respiratory infections such as bronchitis and "walking pneumonia." The sample tested is serum, the clear liquid part of blood.

How the Test Works

A qualitative immunoassay is used to detect whether IgG antibodies against M. pneumoniae are present. "Qualitative" means the result is typically reported in categories such as positive, negative, or equivocal rather than as a precise number.

Why Your Clinician May Order It

This test may be ordered when a Mycoplasma infection is suspected, often alongside other tests such as IgM antibodies or molecular testing. IgG testing is most useful for showing past exposure or for comparing results from two samples taken weeks apart (paired sera).

What the Result Means

A negative result suggests no detectable IgG antibodies, which may mean you have not been exposed, though it can also occur early after infection. A positive result generally indicates exposure at some time in the past or present. Because IgG can stay detectable for a long time, a single positive result cannot by itself confirm an active infection, and results should be interpreted by your clinician in the context of your symptoms and other tests.