Apport diagnostique de la recherche des antigènes solubles bactériens

The tests with the latex technique are not valuable for the diagnosis of pneumonia, and should not be used any longer. The Binax Now® test is an advance inasmuch as it allows linking a pneumococcal etiology to 27% of severe infectious pneumonia. It has to be indicated precisely because of its cost. It can be involved in the diagnosis of severe pneumopathy as a complement to Legionella urinary antigens.