OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the Solana Group A Streptococcus Assay (Quidel, San Diego, CA), a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), as a substitute for backup culture on throat specimens with a negative rapid group A Streptococcus (GAS) antigen assay. METHODS: During October 2016, all throat swabs from patients with a negative GAS antigen assay from local urgent care centers were processed by NAAT and conventional culture in real time. RESULTS: The overall agreement of the 2,090 tested throat swab specimens of the NAAT with the culture was 2,050 (98%) of 2,090. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 91.4%, 98.5%, 78.0%, and 99.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this postimplementation study supported high sensitivity and specificity of the GAS NAAT as a backup test for negative rapid GAS antigen tests.
OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the Solana Group A Streptococcus Assay (Quidel, San Diego, CA), a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), as a substitute for backup culture on throat specimens with a negative rapid group A Streptococcus (GAS) antigen assay. METHODS: During October 2016, all throat swabs from patients with a negative GAS antigen assay from local urgent care centers were processed by NAAT and conventional culture in real time. RESULTS: The overall agreement of the 2,090 tested throat swab specimens of the NAAT with the culture was 2,050 (98%) of 2,090. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 91.4%, 98.5%, 78.0%, and 99.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this postimplementation study supported high sensitivity and specificity of the GAS NAAT as a backup test for negative rapid GAS antigen tests.
Authors: N Kanwar; J Crawford; C Ulen; T S Uphoff; J Dien Bard; R Dunn; A Drain; R Selvarangan Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2019-01-30 Impact factor: 5.948