[Evaluation of a rapid technique for detecting the type A Streptococcus antigen (Test Pack Strep A)].
OBJECTIVE
To test a rapid technique of Antigen Detection (TAD) of Type A Betahemolitic Streptococci (BHSA) in Acute Tonsillitis (AT), comparing it with and using as a point of reference traditional Blood Agar Cultivation (BAC). Additionally, the use of Clinical Data as a method of supposed Diagnosis was studied.


METHODS
Prospective observational study. SITE. Health Primary Care (Maspalomas Health Centre).


METHODS
118 patients between the ages of 1 and 71 affected by AT.


RESULTS
There was a proportion of 13.56% BHSA in the AT of our sample, with a Confidence Interval (CI) of 95% (7.38-19.74) using the BAC; and 17.80% with a CI of 95% (10.90-24.70) using the TAD. The following values were obtained for the TAD: Sensitivity (S) of 93.75%, Specificity (Sp) of 94.12%, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 71.43% and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of 98.9%. Of the clinical variables studied, only the presence/absence of Exudate and Adenopathies were linked to the presence of BHSA in the Cultivations (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01 respectively); with, however, inconclusive S, Sp, PPV and PNV values.


CONCLUSIONS
We found insufficient correlation between clinical findings and the presence of BHSA to consider it a valid method of supposed diagnosis. There was however a statistical link between the presence of Exudate and local Adenopathies, and a positive result in the cultivation. The TAD is shown to be a rapid method, easy to use, and highly reliable for the discovery of the presence of BHSA in AT.
Díaz-Berenguer
J A
JA
Centro de Salud de Maspalomas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias.
Ibrahim
F
F
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000382:microbiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000382:microbiology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial
Evaluación de una técnica rápida de detección del antígeno estreptocócico tipo A (Test Pack Strep A).