PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Gillespie, S H
AU  - Smith, M D
AU  - Dickens, A
AU  - Raynes, J G
AU  - McAdam, K P
TI  - Diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia by quantitative enzyme linked immunosorbent assay of C-polysaccharide antigen.
AID  - 10.1136/jcp.47.8.749
DP  - 1994 Aug 01
TA  - Journal of Clinical Pathology
PG  - 749--751
VI  - 47
IP  - 8
4099  - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/47/8/749.short
4100  - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/47/8/749.full
SO  - J Clin Pathol1994 Aug 01; 47
AB  - AIMS--To evaluate the use of a quantitative enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detecting C-polysaccharide (PnC) antigen in sputum for the diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. METHODS--Specimens of sputum from 60 patients with acute community and hospital acquired pneumonia and infective exacerbations of obstructive airways disease were examined by semiquantitative culture and antigen ELISA. RESULTS--Using a cutoff value of 1 microgram/ml PnC antigen for a positive result, the sensitivity of this assay was 90.3%, specificity 93.1%, predictive value of a positive result was 93.5%, and the predictive value of a negative result 89.6%. CONCLUSIONS--Quantitation of C-polysaccharide antigen in sputum by ELISA distinguishes between carriage of oral bacteria which express PnC-like antigen and infection with S pneumoniae and compares favourably with other diagnostic methods.