CPT® Code 87109

The CPT® Code 87109 refers to a laboratory test specifically designed to culture mycoplasma from any source. Mycoplasma are unique microorganisms characterized as the smallest of free-living organisms, notable for their lack of a cell wall, which allows them to replicate independently without the need for a host. Among the various species of mycoplasma, two of the most prevalent are M. pneumoniae and M. hominis. The former is associated with atypical pneumonia and can lead to mild upper respiratory infections, including tracheobronchitis, as well as ocular infections such as conjunctivitis and iritis. In more severe cases, M. pneumoniae can result in complications like swelling of the optic disc, optic nerve atrophy, and retinal exudate or hemorrhaging. On the other hand, M. hominis is primarily linked to infections of the adult urogenital tract and can also cause respiratory infections in neonates. To perform the culture, an appropriate fluid or tissue sample must first be collected. This can include a variety of fluid samples such as ocular fluid, respiratory secretions (e.g., throat or nasopharyngeal swab/aspirate, bronchial lavage washings), pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, synovial fluid, amniotic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, and swabs from vaginal, cervical, urethral, or prostatic sources. Tissue samples may be obtained from sites such as the lung, placenta, endometrium, fallopian tube, bone, or urinary calculi. Once the sample is collected, it is placed in a suitable culture medium and incubated for several days to allow for the growth of mycoplasma. Following the incubation period, the cells are examined microscopically to identify the presence of the mycoplasma organism, confirming the diagnosis and guiding further clinical management.