Antigènes solubles urinaires et pneumopathies alguës: intérêts et limites

Immunochromatographic membrane tests have been developed. These tests have a high specificity and sensibility and significantly increase the etiologic diagnosis of pneumonia. Physicians must known their limits: detection only of L. pneumophila serogroup 1, poor accuracy of detection of S. pneumoniae urinary antigen in young children, persistence of urinary antigen excretion for up to many one year, in other words a positive test can occur due to current or past infection. Therefore, antigen detection methods should be used in conjunction with culture results, serology and clinical findings to make an accurate and cost effective diagnosis.