Specimen Submission for Diagnostic Testing

Requesting support for testing isolates

Public health laboratories can forward approved specimens to CDC for specialized testing. Healthcare providers should contact the public health laboratory for their jurisdiction to arrange for specimen submission. CDC uses nucleic acid amplification tests to identify M. pneumoniae. Specimens identified as positive for M. pneumoniae by previous lab testing and/or upon testing at CDC will be subsequently tested for macrolide susceptibility using molecular test methods. CDC does not use culture or serological testing as routine diagnostic methods.

For additional information, including acceptable specimen types and specimen preservation, storage, and shipping requirements, please refer to these pages for M. pneumoniae molecular detection and macrolide susceptibility genotyping.

Specimen collection and handling

Collect an OP and NP swab specimen

Use only sterile Dacron, rayon, or nylon swabs with plastic shafts. If available, use flocked swabs. DO NOT use calcium alginate swabs or swabs with wooden sticks, as they may contain substances that inactivate some agents and inhibit some molecular assays.

For OP swab specimens:
Insert swab into the posterior pharynx and tonsillar areas. Rub swab over both tonsillar pillars and posterior oropharynx and avoid touching the tongue, teeth, and gums.

For NP swab specimens:

Insert flexible shaft swab through the nares parallel to the palate (not upwards) until it contacts the nasopharynx. Indications of contact include encountering resistance and the distance equaling that from the ear to the patient’s nostril. Gently rub and roll the swab.

During the Collecting a Nasopharyngeal Swab Clinical Specimen video the clinician collects samples by swabbing the posterior nasopharynx. While this video is not specific to M. pneumoniae, the swabbing technique is the same.

Specimen submission

View information about how to submit specimens to CDC , including a test directory, submission forms, and shipping information.

For additional information on investigating unidentified respiratory disease outbreaks, visit the Unexplained Respiratory Disease Outbreaks website.