Assessment of flocked swabs for use in identification of streptococcal pharyngitis.
We compared the performance of flocked swabs to that of traditional swabs for culture of beta-hemolytic streptococci in children with pharyngitis. Sensitivity was higher for flocked swabs, but this did not reach statistical significance. We conclude that flocked swabs can be used in place of traditional swabs for diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis.
Goldfarb
David M
DM
Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. dgoldfarb@cheo.on.ca
Slinger
Robert
R
Tam
Ron K
RK
Barrowman
Nicholas
N
Chan
Francis
F
D000293:Adolescent; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*