Streptococcus Group A Throat Test

The Streptococcus Group A throat test, commonly used in the UK, is designed to detect the presence of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria, a common cause of pharyngitis (throat infection).

Aspect	Description
Test Type	Rapid Antigen Detection Test (RADT).
Procedure	A throat swab is taken from the back of the throat and tonsils, tested for the presence of GAS (Group A Streptococcus) antigens.
Time Frame	Results are typically available within minutes, qualifying it as a point-of-care test.
Use	Primarily used in cases where clinical assessment alone cannot reliably confirm or rule out GAS as the cause of a sore throat.

Limitations of the Test

Sensitivity: While RADTs for GAS have improved, they are not 100% sensitive. This means a negative result cannot completely rule out a GAS infection. The sensitivity is generally considered to be around 70-90%.
Specificity: The specificity of these tests is high, usually above 95%, which means that a positive result is highly indicative of a GAS infection.
False Negatives: Due to the sensitivity limitations, false negatives can occur. In such cases, a throat culture (a more sensitive test) may be recommended, especially in high-risk patients.
Asymptomatic Carriers: The test may be positive...

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