Allele-specific real-time PCR testing for minor macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma Pneumoniae

Abstract Background The point mutations in 23S rRNA gene of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) can lead to high-level resistance to macrolides. This study aimed to evaluate allele-specific real-time PCR (ASPCR) to detect the resistance-related mutations located at positions A2063G and A2064G of 23S rRNA gene. Methods We detected 178 pharyngeal swab specimens and calculated the proportions of resistant and sensitive quasispecies using ASPCR assays. ASPCR assays can detect down to 10 copies of 23S rRNA gene and achieved sensitivities of