Throat culture is necessary after negative rapid antigen detection tests.
This study was conducted to determine if culture confirmation is needed for a negative rapid antigen detection test. Data on 18,509 tests done in patients younger than 18 years old were reviewed. Of the 14,167 (76.5%) that were negative, 968 (6.8%) were associated with positive cultures. No significant seasonal variation was noted. Significant differences were found between hospital and pediatric practices in the percentage of patients with a negative rapid antigen detection test who actually had group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (3.5% to 9.8%). This study supports the recommendation of culture confirmation of a negative rapid antigen detection test and validation of results within an individual practice if confirmatory cultures are not being performed. This study showed a high false-negative rate of the negative rapid antigen detection test and variation among hospital and pediatric practices for rates of positive culture after a negative rapid antigen detection test.
Mirza
Ayesha
A
Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
Wludyka
Peter
P
Chiu
Thomas T
TT
Rathore
Mobeen H
MH
D000293:Adolescent; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D007223:Infant; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013997:Time Factors
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial