Diagnostic Decision

doi:10.1059/0003-4819-105-6-892

Diagnostic Decision

Throat Cultures and Rapid Tests for Diagnosis of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Richmond, Virginia

Abstract

This article reviews the use of diagnostic tests to guide management of adults with sore throats. Pharyngitis due to group A beta-hemolytic streptococci represents the major diagnostic concern in these patients. Organisms other than group A streptococci can cause pharyngitis, but their clinical importance and their diagnostic tests have not yet been established. For many years, physicians have used routine throat cultures to diagnose group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Rapid tests have recently been introduced that detect the group A streptococcal antigen on throat swab specimens. Because both tests have high sensitivity and specificity, the choice of tests may depend on test turnaround time. Rapid tests should improve management by decreasing both short-term morbidity and inappropriate use of antibiotics.

Article and Author Information

▸From the Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Medical College of Virginia; Richmond, Virginia.
▸This paper was commissioned by the Blue Cross-Blue Shield Medical Necessity Project, under auspices of the Society for Research and Education in Primary Care Internal Medicine (SREPCIM), and is the ninth in a series being published in the Diagnosis and Treatment section. Harold C. Sox, Jr., M.D., is the editor for the series, and these papers are also being reviewed by John M. Eisenberg, M.D., and Sankey V. Williams, M.D., our consultants for Diagnostic Decision papers, as well as by selected manuscript consultants. This series will be published in a collective reprint, the availability of which will be announced later. The reprint will include the introductory article by Dr. Sox, which appears on pages 60-66 in the January 1986 issue.—The Editor.
▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Robert M. Centor, M.D.; Box 25, MCV Station; Richmond, VA 23298-0001.