RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Assessment of rapid methods of pneumococcal antigen detection in routine sputum bacteriology.
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 341
OP 344
DO 10.1136/jcp.38.3.341
VO 38
IS 3
A1 Whitby, M
A1 Kristinsson, K G
A1 Brown, M
YR 1985
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/38/3/341.abstract
AB Sputum specimens from 480 patients were examined for the presence of pneumococci by Gram film and culture and for pneumococcal antigen by counterimmunoelectrophoresis, coagglutination, and latex agglutination. Ninety six positive specimens were detected. Gram film and culture provided the most reliable techniques in well taken specimens collected early in the illness before antibiotic treatment had started. More than 70% of the specimens examined were submitted after starting antibiotics, however, and in these specimens, methods of antigen detection proved of greater value than either Gram film or culture. Counterimmunoelectrophoresis, coagglutination, and latex agglutination were similar in sensitivity and specificity, but coagglutination and latex agglutination were much easier to perform and to read.