Effect of swab type on the analytical sensitivity of five point-of-care tests for group A streptococci

Lasseter, G.M., McNulty, C.A.M. and Hobbs, F.D.R. et al. , for the PRImary care Streptococcal Management (PRISM) Investigators Group (2011) Effect of swab type on the analytical sensitivity of five point-of-care tests for group A streptococci. British Journal of Biomedical Science, 68 (2), 91-94. (PMID:21706921)

Abstract

The majority of point-of-care rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) for group A b-haemolytic streptococci (GABHS) are sold by manufacturers with kit swabs provided. This is convenient for the purchaser but may have unexpected effects on kit performance. Most clinical validation studies compare the performance of RADTs against culture and in these studies the clinical throat samples are often collected using various swab types; usually swabs provided with bacteriology transport media. It is widely assumed that swab type has no impact on RADT performance, and despite the fact that manufacturers often provide swabs with their kit that have been specifically validated for use with a RADT, many clinical validation studies routinely disregard these recommendations by using a variety of swab types.

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Contributors

Author: P. Little

Author: G.M. Leydon

Author: M Moore

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