Pneumococcal lower respiratory tract infections in adults : an observational case-control study in primary care in Belgium

Abstract: Background: Serious lower respiratory tract infections (SLRTIs), especially Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP)-related pneumonia cause considerable morbidity and mortality. Chest imaging, sputum and blood culture are not routinely obtained by general practitioners (GPs). Antibiotic therapy is usually started empirically. The BinaxNOW (R) and Urine Antigen Detection (UAD) assays have been developed respectively to detect a common antigen from all pneumococcal strains and the 13 pneumococcal serotypes present in the vaccine Prevenar 13 (R) (PCV13). Methods: OPUS-B was a multicentre, prospec... Mehr ...