Table 2.
Comparison of the clinical parameters and biomarkers in GAS and non-GAS pharyngitis.
| GAS (n = 19) | Non-GAS (n = 64) | Pa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical findings | |||
| Cough or rhinitis – no. (%) | 9 (47.4) | 41 (64.1) | 0.19 |
| Oropharyngeal/tonsillar exudates – no. (%) | 14 (73.7) | 33 (52.4) | 0.10 |
| Intensive oropharyngeal/tonsillar redness – no. (%) | 17 (89.5) | 44 (69.8) | 0.09 |
| Cervical lymphadenopathy – no. (%) | 12 (63.2) | 39 (66.1) | 0.82 |
| McIsaac scoreb – mean (95% CI) | 3.8 (3.4–4.3) | 3.5 (3.2–3.8) | 0.13 |
| Biomarkers | |||
| WBC – median [IQR], E9/L | 12.9 [9.5–16.0] | 9.0 [5.9–12.1] | 0.005 |
| CRP – median [IQR], mg/L | 32 [12–45] | 9.5 [4–31] | 0.01 |
| PCT – median [IQR], μg/L | 0.16 [0.09–0.26] | 0.16 [0.10–0.40] | 0.65 |
| MxA – median [IQR], μg/L | 170 [100–400] | 810 [213–1198] | <0.001 |
| TRAIL – median [IQR], pg/mL | 82 [66–142] | 137 [74–185] | 0.04 |
| MxA (μg/L)/CRP (mg/L) ratio – median [IQR] | 4.7 [2.5–17.2] | 67.5 [14.0–156.9] | <0.001 |
Abbreviations: GAS, group A streptococcus; WBC, white blood cell count; IQR, interquartile range; CRP, C-reactive protein; PCT, procalcitonin; MxA, myxovirus resistance protein A; TRAIL, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand.
a
Univariate analysis by the χ2 or Mann–Whitney U test.
b
Number of eligible patients n = 66.