Pneumococcal urinary antigen

Description: 
Rapid urinary antigen detection
Clinical details: 
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the commonest cause of bacterial pneumonia in the UK. It is also one of the commonest cause of bacterial meningitis. The pneumococcal urinary antigen is useful for the diagnosis of severe community acquired pneumonia and remains positive several days into antibiotic treatment. Its sensitivity and specificity however, is sub-optimal and varies by patient group. Sensitivity and specificity is reported as approximately 70-90%.
Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
Minimum of 10mls of urine in a sterile universal container.
Turnaround time: 
Same day
Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR).
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Microbiology Laboratory at St Thomas'

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Last updated: 08/06/2021