II. Indication

  1. Suspected Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis
    1. Not recommended as primary test due to 24 hour delay
  2. Confirmatory testing of a negative Streptococcal Rapid Antigen Test
    1. Negative Streptococcal Rapid Antigen Test in age 5 to 15 years
      1. As of 2012, not recommended as a backup test in adults (lower Incidence, lower complication rate)
    2. Also identifies other organisms

III. Technique

  1. Swab posterior oropharynx and Tonsils
  2. Cultured on 5% sheep blood agar plate
  3. Requires 24 hour minimum for adequate growth

IV. Efficacy

  1. Highly dependent on technique
  2. Does not differentiate streptococcal carrier state
  3. Single swab with single culture in adults
    1. Test Sensitivity: 90%
    2. Test Specificity: 99%

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

Related Studies