Automated Urinary Antigen Testing in Pneumonia Patient Care

Pneumonia is an important infectious disease associated with high morbidity, mortality, and health costs worldwide. Unfortunately, the causative pathogens cannot be identified in approximately 50% of CAP cases due to limitations in traditional microbiological methods. Blood and sputum cultures are affected by poor sample collection, prior antibiotic administration, and delayed processing. Nevertheless, the most frequently identified bacterial pathogens are still Streptococcus pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila. Urinary antigen tests (UATs) for S. pneumoniae and L. pneumophila have emerged as powerful tools for improving the diagnosis of bacterial respiratory infections, enabling physicians to administer early directed therapy and improve antimicrobial stewardship.

 

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