Real-Time PCR and Quantitative Culture for Mycoplasma pneumoniae Load in Pharyngeal Swabs from Children at Preliminary Diagnosis and Discharge.

Real-time PCR was rapid and effective for the qualitative diagnosis of M. pneumoniae at the early stage, but it cannot be used to evaluate the prognosis of patients with M. pneumoniae infection. Quantitative analysis for M. pneumoniae DNA could not directly reflex the viable strain content.