Related Experiment Videos
An evaluation of latex particle agglutination to detect antigenemia in children
Insights
Latex particle agglutination rapidly detected bacterial capsular antigens in children with suspected bacteremia. This diagnostic test identified etiological agents in severe infectious diseases, aiding prompt treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Bacteremia in children presents a diagnostic challenge.
- Rapid identification of bacterial pathogens is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Latex Particle Agglutination (LPA) as a rapid diagnostic tool for detecting bacterial capsular antigens in pediatric bacteremia.
- To assess the utility of LPA in identifying specific etiological agents.
Main Methods:
- Latex Particle Agglutination (LPA) was employed to detect capsular polysaccharide antigens.
- Sera from children with suspected bacteremia were tested for Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Neisseria meningitidis (groups A and C).
- Results were correlated with blood culture findings.
Main Results:
- Antigenemia was detected in 47 out of 1085 children.
- In 36 cases, the detected antigen corresponded to the microorganism isolated from blood culture.
- In 11 cases, antigenemia was detected despite prior antibiotic therapy and negative blood cultures.
Conclusions:
- Latex Particle Agglutination (LPA) is a valuable rapid diagnostic test for identifying etiological agents in severe pediatric infectious diseases.
- LPA can detect bacterial antigens even in cases with prior antibiotic treatment.
- The test aids in the prompt etiological diagnosis of bacteremia in children.
Abstract:
Latex particle agglutination (LPA) was used to detect specific bacterial capsular antigen in sera collected at the time blood samples were taken from children with suspected bacteremia. Capsular polysaccharide antigens tested for were Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hi b), Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp), Streptococcus agalactiae (Sa) and Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) groups A and C. An adequate volume of serum was available for 1085 of the blood culture sets received. Antigenemia was detected in 47 children; 36 children from whom the homologous microorganism was isolated from the associated blood culture and 11 children who had prior antibiotic therapy and whose blood culture grew no microorganism. Antigenemia was not detected in 46 children whose blood culture yielded a bacterium for which a homologous LPA reagent was available. Fifty children had positive blood cultures with microorganisms considered significant to which no LPA reagent was available. LPA was of value as a rapid diagnostic test in the identification of the etiological agent in severe infectious disease in children.