Abstract
The diagnosis of group A streptococcal disease still relies on isolation of group A streptococcal strains on sheep blood agar followed by presumptive identification based on bacitracin sensitivity or the results of the more precise serogrouping methods such as the Lancefield precipitin test. A technique that would permit rapid identification of streptococcal infections directly from throat secretions would allow immediate appropriate antimicrobial therapy for the management of streptococcal infections to be started. We have been able to identify soluble group A antigen directly from throat secretions by using a latex agglutination test. In a clinical trial in which latex (Streptex group A) and conventional culturing techniques were used, 53 throat secretion cultures were tested: 26 were positive by both procedures, 5 were positive by culture only, 3 were positive by the latex agglutination test only, and 19 were negative by both tests.
Full text
PDFImages in this article
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- BREESE B. B., DISNEY F. A. The accuracy of diagnosis of beta streptococcal infections on clinical grounds. J Pediatr. 1954 Jun;44(6):670–673. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(54)80008-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Edwards E. A., Larson G. L. Serological grouping of hemolytic streptococci by counter-immunoelectrophoresis. Appl Microbiol. 1973 Dec;26(6):899–903. doi: 10.1128/am.26.6.899-903.1973. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Finch R. G., Phillips I. Serological grouping of streptococci by a slide coagglutination method. J Clin Pathol. 1977 Feb;30(2):168–170. doi: 10.1136/jcp.30.2.168. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- PEEPLES W. J., SPIELMAN D. W., MOODY M. D. Field application of fluorescent antibody technique for identification of group A streptococcus. Public Health Rep. 1961 Aug;76:651–654. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- RANTZ L. A., RANDALL E. Use of autoclaved extracts of hemolytic streptococci for serological grouping. Stanford Med Bull. 1955 May;13(2):290–291. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Randolph M. F., Redys J. J., Hibbard E. W. Streptococcal pharyngitis. I. Correlation of cultures with clinical criteria. Del Med J. 1970 Feb;42(2):29–passim. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]