Biomaterial Database

Outpatient evaluation of a rapid, direct test for detection of group A streptococci in throat swabs. 1987

M T Kelly, and J A Smith, and S Jaffer, and L Pearce, and A Clarke

A latex agglutination test (Marion Laboratories) was compared with standard culture methods for the detection of Group A streptococci in two studies of 500 throat swabs each. Swabs were first inoculated to sheep blood agar and then tested for Group A streptococcal antigen. The direct test performed with nearly identical sensitivity and specificity in the two phases of the study. Overall, Group A streptococci were isolated from 91 specimens, and 81 (89%) of these were detected by the direct latex test. The predictive value positive for the latex test was 90%, and the accuracy was 98%. The sensitivity of the latex test for detection of specimens having ten or more colonies of Group A streptococci was 95%. Non-Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated from 65 specimens, and all of these specimens had negative latex tests. The authors' findings suggest that this direct latex agglutination test is a reliable screening method for rapid detection of Group A streptococci in outpatient throat specimens.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007841	Latex Fixation Tests	Passive agglutination tests in which antigen is adsorbed onto latex particles which then clump in the presence of antibody specific for the adsorbed antigen. (From Stedman, 26th ed)	Latex Agglutination Tests,Agglutination Test, Latex,Agglutination Tests, Latex,Fixation Test, Latex,Fixation Tests, Latex,Latex Agglutination Test,Latex Fixation Test,Test, Latex Agglutination,Test, Latex Fixation,Tests, Latex Agglutination,Tests, Latex Fixation
D010614	Pharynx	A funnel-shaped fibromuscular tube that conducts food to the ESOPHAGUS, and air to the LARYNX and LUNGS. It is located posterior to the NASAL CAVITY; ORAL CAVITY; and LARYNX, and extends from the SKULL BASE to the inferior border of the CRICOID CARTILAGE anteriorly and to the inferior border of the C6 vertebra posteriorly. It is divided into the NASOPHARYNX; OROPHARYNX; and HYPOPHARYNX (laryngopharynx).	Throat,Pharynxs,Throats
D011237	Predictive Value of Tests	In screening and diagnostic tests, the probability that a person with a positive test is a true positive (i.e., has the disease), is referred to as the predictive value of a positive test; whereas, the predictive value of a negative test is the probability that the person with a negative test does not have the disease. Predictive value is related to the sensitivity and specificity of the test.	Negative Predictive Value,Positive Predictive Value,Predictive Value Of Test,Predictive Values Of Tests,Negative Predictive Values,Positive Predictive Values,Predictive Value, Negative,Predictive Value, Positive
D003429	Cross Reactions	Serological reactions in which an antiserum against one antigen reacts with a non-identical but closely related antigen.	Cross Reaction,Reaction, Cross,Reactions, Cross
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000553	Ambulatory Care	Health care services provided to patients on an ambulatory basis, rather than by admission to a hospital or other health care facility. The services may be a part of a hospital, augmenting its inpatient services, or may be provided at a free-standing facility.	Outpatient Care,Outpatient Health Services,Clinic Visits,Health Services, Outpatient,Outpatient Services,Services, Outpatient Health,Urgent Care,Care, Ambulatory,Care, Outpatient,Care, Urgent,Cares, Urgent,Clinic Visit,Health Service, Outpatient,Outpatient Health Service,Outpatient Service,Service, Outpatient,Service, Outpatient Health,Services, Outpatient,Urgent Cares,Visit, Clinic,Visits, Clinic
D001431	Bacteriological Techniques	Techniques used in studying bacteria.	Bacteriologic Technic,Bacteriologic Technics,Bacteriologic Techniques,Bacteriological Technique,Technic, Bacteriological,Technics, Bacteriological,Technique, Bacteriological,Techniques, Bacteriological,Bacteriologic Technique,Bacteriological Technic,Bacteriological Technics,Technic, Bacteriologic,Technics, Bacteriologic,Technique, Bacteriologic,Techniques, Bacteriologic
D013291	Streptococcus	A genus of gram-positive, coccoid bacteria whose organisms occur in pairs or chains. No endospores are produced. Many species exist as commensals or parasites on man or animals with some being highly pathogenic. A few species are saprophytes and occur in the natural environment.
D013297	Streptococcus pyogenes	A species of gram-positive, coccoid bacteria isolated from skin lesions, blood, inflammatory exudates, and the upper respiratory tract of humans. It is a group A hemolytic Streptococcus that can cause SCARLET FEVER and RHEUMATIC FEVER.	Flesh-Eating Bacteria,Streptococcus Group A,Bacteria, Flesh-Eating