Comparative analysis of clinical and laboratory methods for diagnosing streptococcal sore throat

Abstract

A microbiologic method is necessary for the correct prescription of antibiotics in children with streptococcal sore throat.

Comparison of Clinical Findings and Rapid Streptococcal Antigen Detection Test in the Diagnosis of Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Pharyngitis

“…In the present study, positive predictive value of petechiae, exudate and LAP were 56.3%, 49.1% and 74.5% and negative predictive value of the mentioned clinical findings were 76.1%, 71.8% and 100%, respectively, which means the results of our study is consistent with Dos Santos and Berezin's study with low positive predictive value for petechiae, exudate and painful glands of 49%, 31% and 43%, and high negative predictive value of 80%, 80% and 80% for the mentioned clinical findings (14).…”

“…Dos Santos and Berezin reported that the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the rapid test was more than the medical opinion of a physician. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the rapid test in comparison with culture in the present study were 89.4%, 100%, 100% and 93.3%, respectively, that was more than the clinical findings, thus our results are similar with Dos Santos and Berezin findings with sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of rapid tests being 96.7%, 94.4%, 84.8% and 98.9%, respectively (14).…”

Impacto do uso da prova rápida para estreptococo beta-hemolítico do grupo A no diagnóstico e tratamento da faringotonsilite aguda em pronto-socorro de Pediatria

“…It is caused by various etiological agents, and the frequency of each of them varies according to the age of the child, the season of the year, and the geographical area (1) . Viruses are the most common etiological agents (2)(3)(4) . Among the bacterial agents of pharyngotonsillitis, the betahemolytic streptococcus of Lancefield group A (GABHS) is responsible for 15 to 30% of cases (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11) .The natural course of pharyngotonsillitis caused by GABHS is self-limited, in most cases, with resolution of signs and symptoms between 2 and 5 days (6) .…”

“…Viruses are the most common etiological agents (2)(3)(4) . Among the bacterial agents of pharyngotonsillitis, the betahemolytic streptococcus of Lancefield group A (GABHS) is responsible for 15 to 30% of cases (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11) .The natural course of pharyngotonsillitis caused by GABHS is self-limited, in most cases, with resolution of signs and symptoms between 2 and 5 days (6) . Antibiotic therapy is indicated to reduce illness duration and morbidity and to prevent suppurative complications, transmission of GABHS (after 24 hours of antibiotics there is no transmission of the bacterial agent), and non-suppurative complications (rheumatic fever) (2,6,7) .…”

Clinical predictors of childhood streptococcal pharyngitis

“…They all found that acute pharyngitis were more prevalent in boys than girls (55-60% vs 40-45%). 14,17,20,25,26 Many studies reported that childhood streptococcal pharyngitis are more prevalent in boys, 5-15 years old, undernourished, lower socioeconomic level children or in winter/ early spring. 3,7,10,11 In Padang during November '06-March '07, the incidence of streptococcal pharyngitis in girls, less that six years old and undernourished children was 62%, 54% and 62%, respectively.…”