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Positive PCR in SF (4%) definitely indicates active infection and M. pneumonia induced arthiritis. Although positive SF-IgM (4%) suggests either a current or a very recent M. pneumonia infection but not for SF-IgG (previous infection). So, we can summate that PCR, though being the best and most accurate method to detect M. pneumonia infection arthritis, is not considered a practical one due to costs and availability issues. Hence it can be safely replaced by serology test (Specific IgM) in SF for diagnosis of M. pneumonia arthritis, which is available in most of the hospitals and is much more economical as compared to PCR.

No abstract