A useful tool to determine the etiology of community acquired pneumonia.
The test detects the C-polysaccharide antigen of Streptococcus pneumoniae, the leading cause of community acquired pneumonia.
50-70% of patients have a positive test results four-six weeks after the pneumonia episode.
It is an effective in identifying S. pneumoniae for 75% of patients having pneumococcal pneumonia (Sorde R et al).