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Unexpectedly high frequency of antibody to Mycoplasma pneumoniae in human sera as measured by sensitive techniques
Abstract:
Mycoplasmacidal and radioimmunoprecipitating antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae were commonly detected in healthy children younger than five years of age, in whom natural disease due to M. pneumoniae is rare. Antibody in serum could also be demonstrated in Marine recruits several weeks or months before development of pneumonia due to M. pneumoniae. The latter observation suggests that serum antibody does not confer protection against disease caused by M. pneumoniae.
Insights
Antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae are common in young children and before pneumonia develops in recruits. This suggests that antibodies do not protect against Mycoplasma pneumoniae disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes respiratory illness, including pneumonia.
- Antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae are often detected in individuals.
- The role of these antibodies in disease protection is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and significance of antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae in different populations.
- To determine if serum antibodies confer protection against Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.
Main Methods:
- Detection of mycoplasmacidal and radioimmunoprecipitating antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae in serum samples.
- Analysis of antibody prevalence in healthy children and Marine recruits.
Main Results:
- Mycoplasmacidal and radioimmunoprecipitating antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae were frequently found in healthy children under five years old.
- Antibodies were also detected in Marine recruits weeks to months prior to developing Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.
- The presence of serum antibodies did not prevent the development of pneumonia.
Conclusions:
- Natural Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is uncommon in very young children, despite common antibody presence.
- Serum antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae do not appear to protect against the development of pneumonia caused by this bacterium.
- Further research is needed to understand the protective mechanisms against Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections.