Epilogue

Abstract

This historical review of serodiagnosis for M. pneumoniae infection provides an essential background for understanding the current state of affairs. Although the detection limit for serodiagnostic methodologies may be at hand, there is still room for some technological enhancement. On a practical basis, there remain a variety of serodiagnostic tools which are currently employed. Timely serodiagnosis is of considerable value and will continue to have a role for the foreseeable future. An expanding use of genetic amplification assays will alter the way in which serodiagnosis is used, but complementary roles are emerging more or less. It is perhaps with another decade of experience, and some change, that cost-effective paradigms for utilization will emerge.