Utilidad de la técnica de detección de antígeno neumocócico en el diagnóstico de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en la población adulta

Abstract

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is considered a significant cause of mortality in developing countries; its current incidence is underestimated and represents a relevant health problem. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the main causative agent; although several microbiological methods are available for its diagnosis. The pneumococcal urine antigen test has been widely studied due to its simplicity, rapidity, high sensitivity and specificity in the etiologic diagnosis of CAP.

Objective: To compile information on the usefulness of pneumococcal antigen detection in the etiologic diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia in adults.

Methodology: A bibliographic review of articles published in scientific databases such as PubMed, ProQuest, Taylor & Francis, Cochrane, and Web of Science was performed using keywords combined with Boolean operators and search filters with inclusion and exclusion criteria. The PRISMA method was used to assess and select articles of scientific interest for the study.

Results: The PAU shows a high sensitivity of >70% and a specificity of >90% compared to other conventional methods since a reliable result for the most common etiologic agent causing pneumonia can be obtained in an estimated time of 15 minutes. It is beneficial regarding patient cost-benefit; although its percentage of positivity is low, the clinical impact on modifying antibiotic therapy and mortality rates has not yet been established.