Rapid-antigen detection tests for group a streptococcal pharyngitis: revisiting false-positive results using polymerase chain reaction testing

J Pediatr. 2013 Jun;162(6):1282-4, 1284.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.01.050. Epub 2013 Mar 5.

Abstract

We investigated mechanisms of the false-positive test results on rapid-antigen detection test (RADT) for group A Streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Most RADT false-positives (76%) were associated with polymerase chain reaction-positive GAS results, suggesting that RADT specificity could be considered close to 100%. Finding that 61% of GAS culture-negative but RADT-positive cases were positive on both GAS polymerase chain reaction and Staphylococcus aureus testing, we posit bacterial inhibition as causative.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antigens, Bacterial / analysis*
  • Antigens, Bacterial / genetics
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Humans
  • Pharyngitis / diagnosis*
  • Pharyngitis / microbiology
  • Pharynx / microbiology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Staphylococcus aureus / immunology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / immunology
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial