mycoplasma test question

[Guest guest]

In December 2008 I began taking 250 mg erythromycin twice daily. I am

breastfeeding so can't take tetracyclines. At that time, prior to beginning

antibiotics, my rheumatologist ran ASO, streptozyme and mycoplasma pneumonia

tests. ASO and streptozyme were positive for strep A, and mycoplasma was

negative. I know I was exposed to mycloplasma in Jan 2008 (2 of my kids had it)

so I was surprised at that result.

I am currently on 11mg prednisone daily, tapering 1mg every 2 weeks, and

receiving IVIG treatments once every 2 weeks. I am feeling great now. I was

having a flare of dermatomyositis in Dec. when I began the antibiotics. I also

began the IVIG and raised my dose to 30mg prednisone at that time. I don't know

if my improvement is due to the AP or the IVIG.

Recently the rheumatologist said to stop antibiotics because a 10 week course

should kill off anything. (I know this is contradictory to AP protocol). He

ran the tests again. ASO and streptozyme are still positive, but he said that I

just have the antibodies from a previous infection. Mycoplasma is now positive!

Does that mean that I have been exposed to mycoplasma since last Dec.? What is

the false negative rate for this test? Should I continue the AP? I am

confused.

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