Detection of bacteria and viruses in the pleural effusion of children and adults with community-acquired pneumonia

Future Microbiol. 2015;10(6):909-15. doi: 10.2217/fmb.14.143.

Abstract

Aim: To study the etiology and the utility of new molecular methods in the diagnosis of complicated pneumonia with empyema.

Materials & methods: Bacteria and viruses detection was performed by several traditional and molecular methods in the pleural fluid (PF) of 60 patients (38 children) with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Results: Despite prior antimicrobial therapy in 49 (81.7%) CAP patients, an etiological diagnosis could be established in 41 (68.3%), 35 being (58.3%) Streptococcus pneumoniae. PF culture was positive in only 6 patients but each molecular test detected more than 82% of cases.

Conclusion: Traditional culture methods have poor diagnostic sensitivity in PF because most CAP patients are under antimicrobial therapy when it is obtained. S. pneumoniae detection by molecular methods highly improves diagnosis.

Keywords: Streptococcus pneumoniae; antigen-test BINAX-NOW; empyema; fast-track diagnostics multiplex PCR; lytA real-time PCR; pneumococcal-conjugated vaccine.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Community-Acquired Infections / diagnosis*
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology
  • Community-Acquired Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Microbiological Techniques / methods
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
  • Pleural Effusion / microbiology*
  • Pleural Effusion / virology*
  • Pneumonia / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia / microbiology
  • Pneumonia / virology
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Viruses / isolation & purification*