Evaluation of a Rapid Immunochromatographic ODK-0901 Test for Detection of Pneumococcal Antigen in Middle Ear Fluids and Nasopharyngeal Secretions

Since the incidence of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae has been increasing at an astonishing rate throughout the world, the need for accurate and rapid identification of pneumococci has become increasingly important to determine the appropriate antimicrobial treatment. We have evaluated an immunochromatographic test (ODK-0901) that detects pneumococcal antigens using 264 middle ear fluids (MEFs) and 268 nasopharyngeal secretions (NPSs). A sample was defined to contain S. pneumoniae when optochin and bile sensitive alpha hemolytic streptococcal colonies were isolated by culture. The sensitivity and specificity of the ODK-0901 test were 81.4% and 80.5%, respectively, for MEFs from patients with acute otitis media (AOM). In addition, the sensitivity and specificity were 75.2% and 88.8%, respectively, for NPSs from patients with acute rhinosinusitis. The ODK-0901 test may provide a rapid and highly sensitive evaluation of the presence of S. pneumoniae and thus may be a promising method of identifying pneumococci in MEFs and NPSs

An Application of Outer Membrane Protein P6-Specific Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i> in Middle Ear Fluids and Nasopharyngeal Secretions

<div><p>An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific to outer membrane protein P6 (P6-ELISA) was applied for detecting <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i> in middle ear fluids (MEFs) from acute otitis media (AOM) patients and in nasopharyngeal secretions (NPSs) from acute rhinosinusitis patients. P6-ELISA had a sensitivity of 83.3% for MEFs and 71.5% for NPSs and a specificity of 85.6% for MEFs and 92.5% for NPSs, respectively. Real-time PCR exhibited significant differences in the number of <i>ompP1</i> gene copies among samples determined by P6-ELISA to be positive and negative for <i>H. influenzae</i>. However, because the P6-ELISA test has the reactivity in <i>Haemophilus</i> species include two commensals <i>H. haemolyticus</i> and <i>H. parainfluenzae</i>, it is thus a weak method in order to detect only NTHi correctly. Consequently, diagnosis using the P6-ELISA should be based on an overall evaluation, including the results of other related examinations and clinical symptoms to prevent misleading conclusions in clinical setting.</p></div

Sensitivity, specificity, positive predicting value, and negative predicting values of P6-ELISA to determine the presence of <i>H. influenzae</i> in MEFs and NPS.

<p>The numbers in a parentheses show the number of samples.</p

Sensitivity and specificity of the ODK-0901 test for NPSs depending on prior antimicrobial treatment.

<p>Sensitivity and specificity of the ODK-0901 test for NPSs depending on prior antimicrobial treatment.</p