Usefulness of a new fast technique for detection of pneumococcal antigen in the diagnosis of community pneumonia

Abstract

With the objective of analyzing the usefulness of a new technique of fast detection of pneumococcal antigen in urine (Binax NOW Streptococcus pneumoniae urinary antigen test) 163 community pneumonia episodes were reviewed. The test was positive in 30 cases, and gave rise to therapeutic implications in 12 patients. The global sensitivity was 57%, being superior in patients with HIV infection (70%), and the specificity was 91.6%. In 16 episodes it was the only diagnostic test of pneumococcal infection. The determination of pneumococcal antigen through this technique is a useful tool for the diagnosis of community pneumonia, mainly due its high specificity.