TABLE 3.
Effect of specimen type on the performance of PCR for determination of acute C. pneumoniae infections in 156 patients with CAP requiring admission
| Gold standard | No. (%) of patients positive | Specimen evaluated | Sensitivity (%) | Specificity (%) | NPV (%) | PPV (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIF assay | 15 (9.6) | Throat | 20.0 | 89.9 | 91.2 | 17.6 |
| Throat wash | 6.7 | 95.6 | 90.3 | 14.3 | ||
| Nasopharynx | 40.0 | 89.9 | 93.3 | 30.0 | ||
| Expanded gold standard 1a | 39 (25.0) | Throat | 43.6 | 100.0 | 83.9 | 100.0 |
| Throat wash | 17.9 | 100.0 | 77.9 | 100.0 | ||
| Nasopharynx | 51.3 | 100.0 | 85.8 | 100.0 | ||
| Expanded gold standard 2b | 12 (7.7) | Throat | 16.7 | 89.4 | 92.7 | 11.8 |
| Throat wash | 8.3 | 95.7 | 92.4 | 14.3 | ||
| Nasopharynx | 33.3 | 88.7 | 94.0 | 20.0 | ||
| Expanded gold standard 3c | 23 (14.7) | Throat | 17.4 | 90.0 | 86.1 | 23.5 |
| Throat wash | 8.7 | 96.1 | 85.5 | 28.6 | ||
| Nasopharynx | 36.4 | 90.9 | 89.6 | 40.0 |
a
PCR and culture positive and/or MIF assay results indicating acute C. pneumoniae infection.
b
MIF assay and rDNA LPS ELISA results indicating acute C. pneumoniae infection.
c
MIF assay and/or rDNA LPS ELISA results indicating acute C. pneumoniae infection.