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Avoidance of false-negative blood culture results by rapid detection of pneumococcal antigen

G W Fischer, L P Smith, V G Hemming

    JAMA
    |October 5, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    False-negative blood cultures in children with pneumococcal bacteremia can occur due to rapid bacterial autolysis. Pneumococcal antigen detection offers a reliable alternative for timely diagnosis.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Pediatrics
    • Clinical Diagnostics

    Background:

    • Pneumococcal bacteremia in children can present diagnostic challenges.
    • Bacterial autolysis in blood cultures may lead to false-negative results.

    Observation:

    • Four pediatric cases of pneumococcal bacteremia exhibited partial or complete pneumococcal autolysis in aerobic blood cultures.
    • Pneumococcal antigen was rapidly detected in blood culture media using an agglutination assay.

    Findings:

    • Bacterial autolysis can cause false-negative blood culture results in pneumococcal bacteremia.
    • Antigen detection assays provide a viable method for identifying Streptococcus pneumoniae even with autolysis.

    Implications:

    • Physicians and laboratory staff should be aware of rapid pneumococcal autolysis.
    • Antigen detection methods can ensure accurate and swift diagnosis of pneumococcal infections.
    • This highlights the importance of alternative diagnostic methods beyond traditional culture.

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