Usefulness of pneumococcal antigen detection in pleural fluid samples by immunochromatographic assay for diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2006 Jul;12(7):682-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2006.01484.x.

Abstract

This study investigated the utility of an immunochromatographic test (ICT) for the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae antigens in pleural fluid. Antigen was detected in 15 of 19 (79%) patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. The ICT was always negative in patients with non-pneumococcal pneumonia, but was positive in three cases with a non-infectious aetiology. In patients with pneumonia for which no pathogen was identified, antigen was detected in one of 24 pleural fluids tested. The ICT can be a valuable tool for the management of pneumonia because it can detect pneumococcal antigen in pleural effusion samples.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antigens, Bacterial / analysis*
  • Antigens, Bacterial / urine
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pleural Effusion / immunology*
  • Pleural Effusion / microbiology
  • Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / microbiology*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / immunology*
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial