Impact on empiric treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngitis using an optical immunoassay.
The potential impact of using a rapid diagnostic test (Strep A OIA) on detection and treatment of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) pharyngitis in a large-volume pediatric and adolescent clinic was examined. Of 519 swabs processed for both culture and the OIA test, 114 were culture-positive for GABHS compared with 133 positive by the OIA test, for an agreement of 94%. OIA test sensitivity compared with culture was 96%, and specificity was 94%. Forty-seven percent of all study patients were empirically placed on antibiotics. In-clinic OIA testing could have reduced inappropriate therapy and been a cost-effective alternative to culture.
Harris
R
R
Department of Clinical Investigation, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA.
Paine
D
D
Wittler
R
R
Bruhn
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013290:Streptococcal Infections; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003470:Culture Media