The efficacy of high-dose penicillin for community-acquired pneumonia diagnosed by pneumococcal urine antigen test

J Infect Chemother. 2009 Apr;15(2):108-12. doi: 10.1007/s10156-009-0672-1. Epub 2009 Apr 25.

Abstract

We analyzed the efficacy of both the Streptococcus pneumoniae urine antigen test as a quick diagnostic tool and the administration of high-dose penicillin in response to a positive S. pneumoniae urine antigen test. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 48 cases of pneumococcal pneumonia, in which the patients were treated with high-dose penicillin. All the cases were diagnosed by a positive urine antigen test. Treatment with high-dose penicillin was effective in 43 of the 48 patients. This treatment was also effective in 12 of 16 culture-confirmed cases with low susceptibility to penicillin. Eleven patients who were positive for the S. pneumoniae urine antigen test but culture-negative showed clinical improvement with high-dose penicillin. Pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae appeared to be treated safely and effectively with high-dose penicillin based on positive results of the urine antigen test, as penicillin resistance was unlikely to be a problem.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antigens, Bacterial / urine*
  • Bacteriological Techniques
  • Community-Acquired Infections / diagnosis
  • Community-Acquired Infections / drug therapy*
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Penicillins / administration & dosage*
  • Penicillins / pharmacology
  • Penicillins / therapeutic use
  • Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / drug therapy*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / microbiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / drug effects*
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Penicillins