How do you decide when to use streptococcal urine antigen as part of your workup for pneumonia?
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Do you use streptococcal urine antigen as part of your workup for pneumonia?
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3 Answers
Mednet Member
Infectious Disease · Henry Ford Saint John Hospital
Answered on
I have never ordered the test since I can't think of a circumstance in which a patient is admitted to the hospital for pneumonia and we wouldn't cover for pneumococcus. Would a negative test result in stopping pneumococcal coverage?
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Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Hospital Medicine · Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Answered on
Guidelines recommend only using it for severe CAP as defined by the ATS/IDSA guidelines.
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Mednet Member
Pulmonology · Trinity Health Grand Rapids
Answered on
Guidelines do recommend its use in severe cases. However, I have never ordered it since I am always covering pneumococcus with antibiotics in severe CAP, so I don't see how it will change management, and it only adds additional cost.
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