Novel Approaches to the Identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae as the Cause of Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Publisher DOI
Abstract
Current diagnostic tests lack sensitivity for the identification of the bacterial etiology of pneumonia. Attempts during the past 2 decades to improve sensitivity of detection of bacterial constituents in blood by use of antibody-antigen complexes and polymerase chain reaction have been disappointing. Recent data using pneumococcal conjugate vaccines as probes suggest that increased levels of both C-reactive protein and procalcitonin may be useful adjuncts to chest radiographs in the selection of patients with presumed bacterial pneumonia for inclusion in clinical trials. Among pneumococcal diagnostics currently under investigation, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction of respiratory secretions, as well as urinary antigen detection and pneumococcal surface adhesin A serological analysis for adults, are candidates for use in future clinical trials of antibiotics.
Date Issued
2008
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Klugman, Keith P. | |
Madhi, Shabir A. |
Additional Credits
Journal
Clinical infectious diseases
Publisher
The University of Chicago Press
ISSN
1058-4838
Access(Rights)
open.access