Korean J Clin Microbiol.  2007 Apr;10(1):54-58.

Evaluation of SD Bioline Strep A for Rapid Antigen Testing in Elementary Schoolchildren

• Koh EH
• Kim S

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rapid antigen tests (RAT) of group A streptococci (GAS) are easy to perform and can save two days of bacterial culture time. Performance of SD Bioline Strep A was analyzed in comparison with throat culture.
METHODS
Three consecutive throat swabs were taken from 308 healthy elementary schoolchildren. The first two swabs were tested for SD Bioline Strep A and Quidel Quick Vue Dipstick Strep A rapid antigen tests, and the third one was inoculated onto blood agar plate to grow GAS.
RESULTS
Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of SD Bioline Strep A were 79.3%, 88.9%, 72.2%, and 92.2% respectively. Those of Quidel Quick Vue Strep A were 58.5%, 93.8%, 77.4%, and 86.2% respectively.
CONCLUSION
SD Bioline Strep A showed a significantly higher sensitivity and a slightly lower specificity compared to Quidel Quick Vue Strep A. SD Bioline Strep A RAT should be useful for the rapid diagnosis of bacterial pharyngitis and the optimum use of antibiotics.

Keyword

Streptococcus pyogenes; Group A streptococcus; Rapid antigen test; Throat culture; Pharyngitis

MeSH Terms

Agar
Animals
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Diagnosis
Pharyngitis
Pharynx
Rats
Sensitivity and Specificity
Streptococcus pyogenes
Agar
Anti-Bacterial Agents