Rapid commercial test for direct detection of group A streptococci in throat swabs

The Hybritech Strep A ICON was used for direct testing of 1016 throat specimens for group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Both the test and culture were negative in 829 specimens (81.6%); both were positive in 164 cases (16.1%); the test was positive and culture negative in 9 cases (0.9%); and the test negative and culture positive in 14 cases (1.4%).