Streptococcus pneumoniaeAntigen Test Using Positive Blood Culture Bottles as an Alternative Method To Diagnose Pneumococcal Bacteremia

Abstract
Recovery ofStreptococcus pneumoniaefrom positive blood culture bottles may be difficult due to autolysis of pneumococci. Therefore, we evaluated the performance of the Binax NOWS. pneumoniaeantigen test with samples from positive blood culture bottles and defined the duration of detectable pneumococcal antigen in these bottles. Use of theS. pneumoniaeantigen test is an alternative method for identifyingS. pneumoniaefrom positive blood culture bottles and may enable a diagnosis of pneumococcal bacteremia despite negative subcultures.