The immunochromatographic test for CSF depends on the presence of a detectable level of antigen in the CSF, and therefore only supplements culture procedures.
It is a laboratory requirement that a CSF bacterial culture be done every time antigen detection test is ordered. Please ensure that a CSF culture order is placed concurrently with a CSF antigen detection order, and that sufficient CSF sample is provided for both tests (at least 2 mL CSF in total).
A positive result is presumptive evidence of pneumococcal pneumonia. Correlation of test results with clinical findings is required. A negative result does not exclude infection by S. pneumoniae.
Antigen testing is not recommended for the diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia in children. The Accuracy of BinaxNOW™ Streptococcus pneumoniae in urine has not been proven in young children. Performance on CSF in young children, on the other hand, is established.
