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The Diagnosis of Group A, β-Hemolytic Streptococcal Pharyngitis in the Office Setting: Rapid Latex Test vs Throat Culture

The Diagnosis of Group A, β-Hemolytic Streptococcal Pharyngitis in the Office Setting: Rapid... Abstract • We compared a rapid latex agglutination test with cultures of throat specimens to diagnose group A β-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in an office setting. The throat cultures were interpreted by two pediatricians independently and evaluated by a reference laboratory. Five hundred seventy-two children participated in the study. The latex agglutination test had a sensitivity of 89.4% and a specificity of 85.7%. Cultures of throat specimens obtained in the office had a sensitivity of 91.9% and a specificity of 91.7% when interpreted by investigator 1, and a sensitivity of 90.0% and a specificity of 95.1% when interpreted by investigator 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the numbers of false-negative results generated by the two procedures. We conclude that although somewhat less specific, the latex test is as sensitive as cultures of throat specimens in the office setting. (AJDC 1989;143:102-104) References 1. Gerber MA, Spadaccini LJ, Wright LL, et al: Latex agglutination test for rapid identification of group A streptococci directly from throat swabs . J Pediatr 1984;105:702-705.Crossref 2. Chang MJ, Mohla C: Ten-minute detection of group A streptococci in pediatric throat swabs . J Clin Microbiol 1985;21:258-259. 3. Berkowitz CD, Anthony BF, Kaplan EL, et al: Cooperative study of latex agglutination to identify group A streptococcal antigen on throat swabs in patients with acute pharyngitis . J Pediatr 1985;107:89-92.Crossref 4. Gerber MA, Randolph MF, Chantry J, et al: Antigen detection test for streptococcal pharyngitis: Evaluation of sensitivity with respect to true infections . J Pediatr 1986;108:654-658.Crossref 5. Gerber MA: Culturing of throat swabs: End of an era? J Pediatr 1985;107:85-88.Crossref 6. Hosier DM, Gruenen JM, Teske DW, et al: Resurgence of acute rheumatic fever . AJDC 1987;141:730-732. 7. Versy LG, Wiedmeier SE, Orsmond GS, et al: Resurgence of acute rheumatic fever in the intermountain area of the United States . N Engl J Med 1987;316:425-427. 8. Roddey OF, Clegg HW, Lizabeth TC, et al: Comparison of a latex agglutination test and four culture methods for identification of group A streptococci in a pediatric office laboratory . J Pediatr 1985;108:347-352.Crossref 9. Battle CU, Glasgow LA: Reliability of bacteriologic identification of beta hemolytic streptococci in private offices . AJDC 1971;122:134-136. 10. Morris DS: Reliability of office based diagnostic tools in streptococcal pharyngitis . W Va Med J 1984;80:89-94. 11. Larsson P, Lind L: The need for control of throat streptococcal cultures in general practice . Scand J Infect Dis 1983; (suppl 39) :79-82. 12. Tucker JB, Barasz D, Greenfield S, et al: Throat culturing techniques in the family practice model unit . J Fam Pract 1981;12:925-931. 13. Uhlik DJ: Rapid diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis . Am Clin Prod Rev 1985;9:36-43. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png American Journal of Diseases of Children American Medical Association

The Diagnosis of Group A, β-Hemolytic Streptococcal Pharyngitis in the Office Setting: Rapid Latex Test vs Throat Culture

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References (15)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1989 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0002-922X
DOI
10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150130112027
Publisher site
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Abstract

Abstract • We compared a rapid latex agglutination test with cultures of throat specimens to diagnose group A β-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in an office setting. The throat cultures were interpreted by two pediatricians independently and evaluated by a reference laboratory. Five hundred seventy-two children participated in the study. The latex agglutination test had a sensitivity of 89.4% and a specificity of 85.7%. Cultures of throat specimens obtained in the office had a sensitivity of 91.9% and a specificity of 91.7% when interpreted by investigator 1, and a sensitivity of 90.0% and a specificity of 95.1% when interpreted by investigator 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the numbers of false-negative results generated by the two procedures. We conclude that although somewhat less specific, the latex test is as sensitive as cultures of throat specimens in the office setting. (AJDC 1989;143:102-104) References 1. Gerber MA, Spadaccini LJ, Wright LL, et al: Latex agglutination test for rapid identification of group A streptococci directly from throat swabs . J Pediatr 1984;105:702-705.Crossref 2. Chang MJ, Mohla C: Ten-minute detection of group A streptococci in pediatric throat swabs . J Clin Microbiol 1985;21:258-259. 3. Berkowitz CD, Anthony BF, Kaplan EL, et al: Cooperative study of latex agglutination to identify group A streptococcal antigen on throat swabs in patients with acute pharyngitis . J Pediatr 1985;107:89-92.Crossref 4. Gerber MA, Randolph MF, Chantry J, et al: Antigen detection test for streptococcal pharyngitis: Evaluation of sensitivity with respect to true infections . J Pediatr 1986;108:654-658.Crossref 5. Gerber MA: Culturing of throat swabs: End of an era? J Pediatr 1985;107:85-88.Crossref 6. Hosier DM, Gruenen JM, Teske DW, et al: Resurgence of acute rheumatic fever . AJDC 1987;141:730-732. 7. Versy LG, Wiedmeier SE, Orsmond GS, et al: Resurgence of acute rheumatic fever in the intermountain area of the United States . N Engl J Med 1987;316:425-427. 8. Roddey OF, Clegg HW, Lizabeth TC, et al: Comparison of a latex agglutination test and four culture methods for identification of group A streptococci in a pediatric office laboratory . J Pediatr 1985;108:347-352.Crossref 9. Battle CU, Glasgow LA: Reliability of bacteriologic identification of beta hemolytic streptococci in private offices . AJDC 1971;122:134-136. 10. Morris DS: Reliability of office based diagnostic tools in streptococcal pharyngitis . W Va Med J 1984;80:89-94. 11. Larsson P, Lind L: The need for control of throat streptococcal cultures in general practice . Scand J Infect Dis 1983; (suppl 39) :79-82. 12. Tucker JB, Barasz D, Greenfield S, et al: Throat culturing techniques in the family practice model unit . J Fam Pract 1981;12:925-931. 13. Uhlik DJ: Rapid diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis . Am Clin Prod Rev 1985;9:36-43.

Journal

American Journal of Diseases of Children – American Medical Association

Published: Jan 1, 1989

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