Chlamydia Pneumoniae (Swab)

Does this test have other names?

Chlamydophila pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) (swab), throat culture, pneumonia testing

What is this test?

If your health care provider suspects you have C. pneumoniae, he or she may do a swab test of your nose or throat to test for it. C. pneumoniae is just one of many strains of bacterial pneumonia that a person can become infected with.

Why do I need this test?

When you have a bacterial pneumonia such as C. pneumoniae, it can be potentially life-threatening if left untreated. Symptoms may be similar to a common cold at first, with chest congestion, runny nose, and sore throat, but they can become worse over time and even require hospitalization if left untreated. The C. pneumoniae bacteria can't be detected with microscopic methods of testing, so your doctor needs a culture to find out exactly which bacteria you have. This means technicians try to grow the bacteria in your sample in the lab. Then your doctor can give you the proper treatment.

What other tests might I have along with this test?

Blood tests are sometimes used to identify C. pneumoniae. If your doctor isn't sure of the cause of your infection, you may be tested for other bacteria, too. 

What do my test results mean?

A result for a lab test may be affected by many things, including the method the laboratory uses to do the test. Even if your test results are different from the normal value, you may not have a problem. To learn what the results mean for you, talk with your health care provider.

The best result of a culture is to find no trace of bacteria. If the culture grows bacteria, then technicians can determine which types of bacteria are present. The best treatment can then be prescribed. 

How is this test done?

Your health care provider rubs a cotton swab in the back of your throat or nose to collect a sample for culture. The swab is taken to the laboratory, where the culture is grown to determine what organism is causing your illness.

Does this test pose any risks?

This test poses no known risks. 

What might affect my test results?

Other bacteria or microorganisms found in your mouth and throat can cause problems in getting an accurate culture from a throat swab. Although it doesn't affect test results, the other drawback to getting a culture from a throat swab is that it often takes one to three weeks to get the results. For this reason, other tests, including blood tests, are often done to check for the cause of pneumonia. This way treatment can be started more quickly. However, a blood test is not as accurate as growing a culture.

How do I get ready for this test?

No preparation is needed for the test.