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[Use of the rapid antigen detection test in group A streptococci pharyngitis diagnosis in Tunis, Tunisia]
S Fourati1, H Smaoui, H Jegiurim
1Laboratoire de microbiologie, Hôpital d'enfants de Tunis, Bab Saadoun, 1007 Tunis, Tunisie.
Insights
Rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) accurately diagnose group A streptococcal pharyngitis in children. These tests aid in reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions by enabling prompt treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pharyngitis, commonly caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS), requires accurate and rapid diagnosis.
- Timely diagnosis is crucial to prevent complications and guide appropriate antibiotic therapy.
- Current diagnostic methods may have limitations in speed or accessibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic performance of commercial rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) for Group A Streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis in children.
- To assess the contribution of RADTs in the rapid diagnosis of pediatric pharyngitis.
- To determine the impact of RADT use on antibiotic prescription patterns.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 292 children diagnosed with pharyngitis.
- Simultaneous collection of duplicate throat swabs for RADT and bacterial culture.
- Semi-quantitative evaluation of positive cultures.
- Comparison of RADT results with throat culture findings.
Main Results:
- RADTs identified 72 positive cases, while throat cultures identified 59 positive cases.
- 54 specimens tested positive by both RADT and culture.
- RADT demonstrated high specificity (92.2%) and sensitivity (91.5%).
- 18 specimens were positive only by RADT, with 5 receiving amoxicillin treatment.
Conclusions:
- Commercial RADTs offer a reliable and rapid method for diagnosing GAS pharyngitis in pediatric patients.
- The high specificity of RADTs supports making therapeutic decisions based on positive test results.
- Implementing RADTs can lead to a reduction in antibiotic prescriptions for children with pharyngitis.
Abstract:
The aims of this study were to determine the contribution of commercial rapid antigen detection test (RADT) in the rapid diagnosis of pharyngitis caused by group A streptococci. A total of 292 children with pharyngitis was included. A duplicate throat swabs was taken simultaneously from each patient. One of them was used for RADT achievement and the other for culture. When cultures were positive, a semi-quantitative evaluation was done. Throat culture and RADT were positive in 59 and 72 cases respectively. Fifty four specimens were positive simultaneously with RADT and culture and 215 specimens were negative using both methods. Eighteen specimens were positive only with RADT, 5 of them were treated by amoxicillin. Regarding to the group of patients with a negative RADT and a positive culture (5 cases), all of them had a culture evaluation at "+" or "++". Specificity and sensibility of the RADT were 92.2% and 91.5% respectively. RADT use by physicians can reduce antibiotic prescription among paediatric population. Because of the high specificity of RADT, therapeutic decisions can be made on the basis of a positive test.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Rapid Identification of Pathogens
01:30Acute Pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
01:27Streptococcal Pharyngitis
01:24Automated Microbial Diagnostics