OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of the rapid antigen test (RAT) OSOM StrepA Genzyme for the diagnosis of acute pharyngitis caused by group A beta-haemolytic strep (GABHS). DESIGN: Diagnostic techniques survey. SETTING: Urban primary care centre, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: All patients over 14 years old seen in 6 surgeries with sore throat and 2 or more Centor criteria: pharyngotonsillar exudate, tender laterocervical nodes, absence of coughing, and/or history or presence of fever. PRINCIPAL MEASUREMENTS: Pharyngeal swabs were taken from all the patients, one for RAT and another to send for culture in the microbiology department. RESULTS: A total of 182 patients were evaluable, with a mean age of 30.6 (12.1) years of which 116 were women (63.7%); 63 patients had 2 Centor criteria; 83 had 3 and 36, the 4 criteria. The culture was positive in 102 patients (56%), with GABHS showing infection in forty (22%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 21.2-22.8). Group C Streptococcus was isolated in 26 patients (14.3%). GABHS was higher among patients with four Centor criteria (38.9% vs 25.3% observed among those with 3 criteria and 7.9% with 2 criteria; P<.001). Sensitivity of RAT was 95%, with a specificity of 93%, a positive predictive value of 79.2% and a negative predictive value of 98.5%. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the usefulness of RAT for diagnosing streptococcal pharyngitis. Its use should be spread to all primary care practices.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of the rapid antigen test (RAT) OSOM StrepA Genzyme for the diagnosis of acute pharyngitis caused by group A beta-haemolytic strep (GABHS). DESIGN: Diagnostic techniques survey. SETTING: Urban primary care centre, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: All patients over 14 years old seen in 6 surgeries with sore throat and 2 or more Centor criteria: pharyngotonsillar exudate, tender laterocervical nodes, absence of coughing, and/or history or presence of fever. PRINCIPAL MEASUREMENTS: Pharyngeal swabs were taken from all the patients, one for RAT and another to send for culture in the microbiology department. RESULTS: A total of 182 patients were evaluable, with a mean age of 30.6 (12.1) years of which 116 were women (63.7%); 63 patients had 2 Centor criteria; 83 had 3 and 36, the 4 criteria. The culture was positive in 102 patients (56%), with GABHS showing infection in forty (22%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 21.2-22.8). Group C Streptococcus was isolated in 26 patients (14.3%). GABHS was higher among patients with four Centor criteria (38.9% vs 25.3% observed among those with 3 criteria and 7.9% with 2 criteria; P<.001). Sensitivity of RAT was 95%, with a specificity of 93%, a positive predictive value of 79.2% and a negative predictive value of 98.5%. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the usefulness of RAT for diagnosing streptococcal pharyngitis. Its use should be spread to all primary care practices.
Authors: Carolina Giraldez-Garcia; Beltran Rubio; Jose F Gallegos-Braun; Iñaki Imaz; Jesus Gonzalez-Enriquez; Antonio Sarria-Santamera Journal: Eur J Pediatr Date: 2011-02-11 Impact factor: 3.183
Authors: Emily H Stewart; Brian Davis; B Lee Clemans-Taylor; Benjamin Littenberg; Carlos A Estrada; Robert M Centor Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-11-04 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Josep M Cots; Juan-Ignacio Alós; Mario Bárcena; Xavier Boleda; José L Cañada; Niceto Gómez; Ana Mendoza; Isabel Vilaseca; Carles Llor Journal: Semergen Date: 2015-05-23