title: Persistence of pneumococcal antigens in sputum after treatment of pneumonia.
abstract: Persistence of pneumococcal capsular antigens (PCA) in sputum was studied by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) in 36 cases of pneumococcal pneumonia. Antigens were still detected 24 and 48 h after start of antimicrobial treatment, in 92% and 76% respectively of the patients with lobar or multilobar infiltrates. Persistence of PCA was associated with radiologic extension of lung infiltrate. CIE appears to be a valuable diagnostic tool for pneumococcal pneumonia, when treatment has been instituted before admission to the hospital.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011018:Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D013183:Sputum / Q000276:immunology*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial