title: Evaluation of a rapid test to detect Streptococcus group A.
abstract: Rapid tests for the detection of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) directly from a throat swab have become very popular. Previous studies have reported an antigen test sensitivity of 55-95% and a specificity of 88-100%. The present study evaluates the reliability of one rapid test in detecting GABHS (PathoDx). A total of 164 throat swab specimens was taken. GABHS was isolated on the culture in 37 (22.5%), and the rapid test was positive in 60 (36.6%). The sensitivity of the rapid test was 86.5% and the specificity 80%. Of the 60 positive rapid test results, 28 (47%) were false positive and the positive predicted value was 53%. We conclude that results obtained using rapid test kits should be compared to throat cultures in order to determine the reliability of such kits in specific clinical settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics C, Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah, Tikva.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Amir
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rotman
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maayan
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Varsano
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*