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A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for detecting pneumococcal DNA in the blood has been developed in the hope that it will prove more reliable and versatile for diagnosing pneumococcal pneumonia than standard blood and sputum cultures. In a recent, partially industry-sponsored study, researchers examined the diagnostic and prognostic value of “pneumococcal loads” in hospitalized patients.
Among more than 6000 infants, children, and adults admitted over 2 years to six public hospitals in South Africa with acute lower respiratory tract infections, 422 had a positive test for pneumococcal DNA in the blood, with “pneumococcal loads” ranging from 1.2 to 6.3 log copies/mL. Multivariate analysis revealed a higher likelihood of positive test res…