title: Evaluation of TestPack Strep A for the detection of group A streptococci in throat swabs.
abstract: The performance of TestPack Strep A (Abbott Laboratories), a rapid enzyme immunoassay, was compared with a culture-based method for the detection of group A streptococci in 648 throat swabs. The rapid test correctly detected 99 of the 128 positive and 511 of the 520 negative specimens, a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 98%. Although highly specific, TestPack Strep A is less sensitive than culture techniques for the detection of group A streptococci in throat swabs.
authors.affiliation: Section of Clinical Microbiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Germer
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Torgerson
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Anhalt
mesh_terms: D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic