Detection of Haemophilus influenzae type b antigenuria by Bactigen and Phadebact kits

Two commercially available reagents, latex particles (Bactigen) and Staphylococcus aureus suspensions (Phadebact), were compared for the detection of the capsular polyribitol phosphate antigen of Haemophilus influenzae type b in 18 pediatric patients with proven infections due to H. influenzae type b. Whereas both tests nearly equally detected the antigen in the first urine specimens from the patients, the latex test remained positive significantly longer than did the Phadebact test for serial urine specimens. We conclude that the Bactigen test is slightly more sensitive than the Phadebact test for detecting urinary H. influenzae type b antigen.