A new technique (the NOW test) for the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the effusions of otitis media.
The presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae in chronic otitis media was determined with a new antigen detection kit, the NOW test. The NOW test was originally designed as a urinary antigen test but was adapted to middle-ear effusions for the present study. Middle-ear effusions from 52 children were studied. Streptococcus pneumoniae was cultured from 10 per cent of the effusions. The NOW test was positive in 23 per cent of the effusions, 80 per cent of culture positive and 17 per cent of culture negative effusions. The NOW test proved to be rapid, simple, reliable and relatively inexpensive for the detection of pneumococcal antigen in the middle-ear effusions. This test may prove valuable for the management of children with acute otitis media who undergo tympanocentesis.
Faden
Howard
H
Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Buffalo, Children's Hospital of Buffalo,14222, USA. hfaden@upa.chob.edu
Poje
Christopher
C
Pizzuto
Michael
M
Nagy
Mark
M
Brodsky
Linda
L
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000382:microbiology*; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic