Evaluation of a novel urinary antigen test kit for diagnosing Legionella pneumonia

Akihiro Ito*, Yoshihiro Yamamoto, Yoshikazu Ishii, Akihito Okazaki, Yoshihisa Ishiura, Yukio Kawagishi, Yasuo Takiguchi, Kazuma Kishi, Yoshio Taguchi, Takashi Shinzato, Yasumi Okochi, Ryuji Hayashi, Yoshitaka Nakamori, Yoshiko Kichikawa, Kengo Murata, Hiroaki Takeda, Futoshi Higa, Takayuki Miyara, Keisuke Saito, Takeo IshikawaTadashi Ishida, Kazuhiro Tateda

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of a novel test kit that could theoretically detect all serogroups of Legionella pneumophila for diagnosing Legionella pneumonia, in comparison with existing kits. Methods: This study was conducted in 16 hospitals in Japan from April 2016 to December 2018. Three urinary antigen test kits were used: the novel kit (LAC-116), BinaxNOW Legionella (Binax), and Q-line Kyokutou Legionella (Q-line). In addition, sputum culture and nucleic acid detection tests and serum antibody tests were performed where possible. The diagnostic accuracy and correlations of the novel kit with the two existing kits were analyzed. Results: In total, 56 patients were diagnosed with Legionella pneumonia. The sensitivities of LAC-116, Binax, and Q-line were 79%, 84%, and 71%, respectively. The overall match rate between LAC-116 and Binax was 96.8% and between LAC-116 and Q-line was 96.4%. One patient had L. pneumophila serogroup 2, and only LAC-116 showed a positive result, whereas Binax and Q-line did not. Conclusions: The novel Legionella urinary antigen test kit was useful for diagnosing Legionella pneumonia. In addition, it could detect Legionella pneumonia caused by non-L. pneumophila serogroup 1.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)42-47
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume103
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021/02

Keywords

  • Diagnosis
  • Immunoassay
  • Legionella pneumophila
  • Pneumonia
  • Urinary antigen test

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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