Insensitivity of rapid antigen detection methods and single blood agar plate culture for diagnosing streptococcal pharyngitis

Article Abstract:

Culturing throat swabs on two types of culture media simultaneously may be more effective in diagnosing streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat) than using a single culture medium or rapid antigen detection kits. Throat swabs from 755 children suspected of having strep throat were tested with five different antigen detection kits; each sample was also cultured on plain blood agar and on blood agar containing the drug trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. At two days, the two-plate culture method had detected 261 cases of group A streptococcal pharyngitis. The plain blood agar method alone detected only 72% of these cases, and the rapid antigen detection kits detected only 41% overall. The sensitivity of each individual kit - the percentage of cases it detected - ranged from 31% to 50%. The two-plate culture method should be the standard for detecting streptococcal pharyngitis.

Evaluation, Medical tests, Cell culture, Tissue culture, Agglutination tests

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Can Perinatal HIV Infection Be Eliminated in the United States?

Article Abstract:

Widespread HIV testing of pregnant women and prescription of zidovudine could substantially reduce the number of newborn infants with HIV. A 1994 report documenting that transmission rates could be reduced by two-thirds led the US Public Health Service task force to publish guidelines recommending HIV testing and zidovudine during pregnancy. A 1999 study found this policy has dramatically reduced the number of newborn infants who have HIV infection. However, many poor women at highest risk of HIV infection do not receive adequate prenatal care. All pregnant women should be offered HIV testing and zidovudine if they test positive.

Health aspects, Editorial, Prevention, HIV infection in children, Pediatric HIV infections, Zidovudine, HIV testing, HIV tests

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Adoption of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease Prevention Recommendations by Prenatal-Care Providers-- Connecticut and Minnesota, 1998

Article Abstract:

Many prenatal care providers have adopted CDC guidelines for preventing group B streptococcal (GBS) infections in newborn babies GBS infections are the leading bacterial cause of serious neonatal disease in the US. The guidelines recommend identifying and treating pregnant women with GBS infection either by testing her or analyzing her risk factors for GBS infection. A survey of obstetricians, family doctors and certified nurse midwives in Connecticut and Minnesota found that most had adopted the guidelines.

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