Strep throat laboratory tests
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aysha Anwar, M.B.B.S[2]
Overview
History and clinical examination can be used to diagnosis viral pharyngitis when clear viral symptoms (e.g., cough, rhinorrhea, hoarseness, oral ulcers, conjunctivitis) are present; these patients do not need testing for group A strep. However, clinical examination cannot be used to differentiate viral and group A strep pharyngitis in the absence of viral symptoms, even for experienced clinicians. Group A streptococcal pharyngitis may be diagnosed with the help of rapid antigen detection test (RADT) and throat culture.[1]
Laboratory tests
History and clinical examination can be used to diagnosis viral pharyngitis when clear viral symptoms (e.g., cough, rhinorrhea, hoarseness, oral ulcers, conjunctivitis) are present; these patients do not need testing for group A strep. However, clinical examination cannot be used to differentiate viral and group A strep pharyngitis in the absence of viral symptoms, even for experienced clinicians. Group A streptococcal pharyngitis may be diagnosed with the help of following labortary tests:[1]
Rapid antigen detection test (RADT)
RADTs have higher specificity for group A streptococcal throat but lower sensitvity than throat culture.
Throat culture
Throat culture is the gold standard diagnostic test for group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Individuals with negative rapid antigen detection test and high clinical suspicion of strep throat must be confirmed with throat culture.
GAS serology
There is no role of group A streptococcal serology in the diagnosis of strep throat.
Molecular assays
Molecular assays such as nucleic acid amplification tests [NAAT], polymerase chain reaction assays [PCR] are not routinely used for detection of Strep throat.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-hcp/strep-throat.html Accessed on October 18, 2016