Bacterial pneumonia other diagnostic studies
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Arooj Naz, M.B.B.S
Overview
Diagnostic studies which are helpful in diagnosing bacterial pneumonia, apart from routine laboratory tests, include bronchoalveolar lavage and urine antigen. Urine antigen test are helpful in the diagnosis of legionella. Bronchoalveolar lavage provides accurate results, but obtaining a sample may present some difficulties. Therefore, this method is typically performed in patients who are intubated and or on mechanical ventilation.
Other Laboratory Tests
Bronchoalveolar Lavage
- BAL is especially helpful in determining the presence of bacterial pneumonia in non-immunocompromised and mechanically ventilated patients[1]
- Provides accurate results, but obtaining a sample may present some difficulties; therefore it is performed in patients who are intubated and can provide a sample
Urine Antigen
- Urine antigen samples are not often used, but may assist in the diagnosis of Legionella[2]
References
- ↑ Sanchez Nieto JM, Carillo Alcaraz A (1995). “The role of bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia”. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 14 (10): 839–50. doi:10.1007/BF01691489. PMC 7102128 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 8605896. - ↑ Couturier MR, Graf EH, Griffin AT (2014). “Urine antigen tests for the diagnosis of respiratory infections: legionellosis, histoplasmosis, pneumococcal pneumonia”. Clin Lab Med. 34 (2): 219–36. doi:10.1016/j.cll.2014.02.002. PMID 24856525.
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