title: Detection of bacterial antigen in pleural fluid by counterimmunoelectrophoresis.
abstract: Pleural fluid specimens from 87 patients were studied using counterimmunoelectrophoresis with pneumococcal, staphylococcal, and Hemophilus influenza b antisera. This method compared favorably with traditional bacteriologic methods and in addition provided a presumptive etiologic diagnosis in more than half of the specimens with negative bacterial cultures. One cross-reaction between H. influenza b antiserum and a pleural fluid specimen with an Escherichia coli isolate was observed.
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000276:immunology*; D003378:Counterimmunoelectrophoresis; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007106:Immune Sera