Assessment of different methods for detecting streptococcus pneumonia or its capsular Ag in pneumonic patients sputa

ABSTRACT

Eighty four sputum specimens were collected from clinically pneumonic patients and examined for the presence of streptococcus or it's capsular antigen by assessing Gram film, culture, Quellung reaction and latex agglutination. Our results revealed that Quellung test was the most sensitive method [100%], whereas culture was the most specific technique [100%]. To choose the best diagnostic for patients regarding antibiotic treatment, twenty-nine specimens of total 84 were investigated before starting antibiotics. For these cases, Quellung test had the highest rate of detection [100%], and both Gram film and culture were proved to be reliable techniques. The remaining fifty-five specimens were submitted after starting antibiotics. In these samples latex agglutination revealed greater detection value [45.4%] than others