title: Streptococcal throat infection: calculation of test standards and a comparison between an antigen detection test and culture.
abstract: The standard minimum sensitivity (94%) and minimum specificity (89%) of a group A streptococcus (GAS) test were calculated, assuming that no more than 10% false positive and no more than 2% false negative test results should be allowed. The clinical judgement of the need for immediate antibiotic treatment in tonsillitis/pharyngitis was an unreliable indicator of a GAS aetiology, 20-29% of the results being false positive and 2-10% false negative. The rapid antigen detection test Tandem Icon Strep A was not sensitive enough to be used as a single test, though it was specific enough. The sensitivity of culture almost reached the standard demand. Two combinations of rapid test and culture (sequence testing) were superior to the rapid test, but were not significantly better than culture.
authors.affiliation: Sigtuna District of Primary Health Care, Märsta, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stillström
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schwan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Björklind
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003470:Culture Media / Q000592:standards; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D008433:Mathematics; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003470:Culture Media