Mycoplasma is neither a bacterium nor a virus, but a special pathogen in between, smaller than a bacterium but larger than a virus, able to live independently, and does not have a cell wall structure. Mycoplasma infection is common in clinical practice, and there are many ways to check for them. 

So, can a blood test check for mycoplasma infection?

Mycoplasma infection blood routine shows that the total number of white blood cells is slightly high or low, and the blood sedimentation rate is normal. Because blood tests are not specific, it is impossible to determine the presence or absence of mycoplasma infection based on blood tests alone, and it is necessary to confirm it through mycoplasma antibody tests. 

Blood tests are usually done to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections. If the patient's white blood cells are high, it may be a bacterial infection. A viral infection is usually considered if the patient's white blood cells are normal or low.

Mycoplasma is usually found in the body's ducts, such as the common urethra, female vagina, and male genital tract. Mycoplasma can only be detected through secretions, scraped tissue for culture, or by PCR and cannot be detected through routine blood, urine, biochemistry, or infection screening. Mycoplasma test commonly used specimens such as male semen, prostate fluid, and urethral secretion, which all can be cultured, and in some patients, mycoplasma can be found. The details are as follows:

1. Test Samples From Male Subjects

Urethral Swabs: Mycoplasma testing is often performed in men with symptoms of UTIs and can usually be performed with a urethral swab, using either culture or nucleic acid testing. Urethral swabs are painful to collect and can easily cause men to avoid the test due to fear.

Prostate Fluid and Semen: Patients with suspected infections of the male reproductive tract are sometimes examined for prostate fluid or semen, which passes through the urethra as it is discharged and inevitably carries microorganisms from the urethra, where mycoplasma colonization may be present, and thus may be contaminated.

Urine Testing: Generally only applicable to RNA testing methods, with the advantages of non-invasiveness, convenience, high sensitivity, and specificity, and can be used for large-scale population screening. Newer nucleic acid testing methods can now be used for urine testing, reducing the pain of sampling for male patients and facilitating male screening.

2. Test Samples From Female Subjects

Cervical and Vaginal Swabs: They are the most commonly performed tests for women, either by culture or nucleic acid testing. Mycoplasma colonization occurs in a high percentage of women in the lower genital tract, so assessing the risk of infection and determining whether treatment is needed is prudent.

Urine Testing: It is equally applicable to RNA detection methods and has the advantage of being non-invasive, convenient, highly sensitive, and specific, and can be used for large-scale population screening.

After detecting the presence of Mycoplasma, patients can use macrolide antibiotics for anti-infection treatment under the guidance of a doctor and complete the course of treatment as required.

Patients can also choose traditional Chinese medicine treatment. Male patients can take oral Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill with its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, which can kill all kinds of bacteria, viruses, and mycoplasma pathogens that cause diseases in the male genitourinary system and have a good effect on the treatment of mycoplasma infection. Female patients can take oral Fuyan Pill, with powerful bactericidal force; it can kill all kinds of bacteria and viruses. Insist on taking it, the mycoplasma can achieve the effect of turning negative in the end.

In addition, it is worth noting that if one of the couple or sexual partners is suspected to be infected with mycoplasma, both should be examined and treated simultaneously. Otherwise, the disease will recur after one party is cured due to cross-infection between husband and wife. Once a vicious cycle is formed, it will significantly impact both parties' health.

You may also be interested in:

Which is More Difficult to Treat: Mycoplasma Infection in Men Or One in Women?

Don't let Mycoplasma Steal Your Good Pregnancy: How Deadly Is Mycoplasma Infection for Pregnancy Pre

The Best Time for Pre-pregnancy Mycoplasma examination