Agreement between rapid antigen detection test and culture for group A streptococcus in patients recently treated for pharyngotonsillitis-a prospective observational study in primary care

• ObjectiveThe aim was to compare rapid antigen detection test (RADT) and throat culture for group A streptococci (GAS) among patients recently treated with penicillin V for GAS pharyngotonsillitis.Design and settingThe study was a secondary analysis within a randomized controlled trial comparing 5 versus 10 days of penicillin V for GAS pharyngotonsillitis. Patients were recruited at 17 primary health care centres in Sweden.SubjectsWe included 316 patients >= 6 years of age, having 3-4 Centor criteria, a positive RADT and a positive throat culture for GAS at inclusion, and also having a RADT and throat culture for GAS taken at a follow-up visit within 21 days.Main outcome measuresRADT and conventional throat culture for GAS.ResultsThis prospective study showed 91% agreement between RADT and culture at follow-up within 21 days. Only 3/316 participants had negative RADT with a positive throat culture for GAS at follow-up, and 27/316 patients with positive RADT had a negative culture for GAS. Log rank test did not reveal any difference in the decline over time of positive tests between RADT and throat culture (p = 0.24). Agreement between RADT and throat culture for GAS at the follow-up was not associated with treatment duration, number of days from inclusion until follow-up, throat symptoms at follow-up, gender, or age.ConclusionRADT and culture for GAS agreed to a high extent also after recent penicillin V treatment. RADT for GAS means a low risk for missing the presence of GAS.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Allmänmedicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- General Practice (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Infektionsmedicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Infectious Medicine (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis

rapid antigen detection test

primary care

Streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis; rapid antigen detection test; primary care

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)