CONTEXT

This study was designed to compare the sensitivities of different investigations for the diagnosis of Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP). A prospective study was carried out which compared the sensitivities of the chest radiographs, CRP, TLC, ESR and the blood cultures in sixty-six patients who were diagnosed with WHO defined CAP.

METHOD AND MATERIAL

The chest radiographs, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), total leucocyte count (TLC) and blood cultures were determined in sixty-six patients who were amongst the age group of one month to five years of age, who were diagnosed with WHO defined CAP.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

It was carried out by calculating the proportion, mean, standard deviation (SD) and the sensitivity of the test/.able

RESULTS

The chest radiographs were found to be positive in 93.9% (n=62) patients, CRP was positive in 90.9% (n=60) patients, ESR was positive in 72.7% (n=42) patients, TLC was positive in 48.5% (n=38) patients and the blood cultures were positive in 6.1% (n=4) patients. Hence, the sensitivity of the chest radiograph, CRP, ESR, TLC and the blood culture in the diagnosis of CAP were 93.9%, 90.9%, 72.7%, 48.5% and 6.1%.

CONCLUSION

In view of the high sensitivity of CRP, which is almost similar to that of chest X-Ray in detecting CAP, CRP can be used as an alternative test to the chest radiographs at peripheral centres, where X-ray machines are not available.