Rapid diagnostic tests for group A streptococcal pharyngitis
Article Abstract:
Pharyngitis (infection of the airway) caused by group A streptococcus can progress to scarlet fever or rheumatic fever, which are serious diseases. Early treatment with antibiotics can prevent these complications, relieve symptoms, and limit transmission of the disease to others. It can be difficult to diagnose the airway infection on the basis of medical symptoms, and the standard diagnostic technique of obtaining a throat swab and growing and identifying bacteria can take a day or more. Rapid test kits have become available that allow diagnosis in 10 minutes. Some of the commonly available test kits are listed in the table. The kits include reagents needed to analyze bacterial molecules from a swab of the patient's pharynx. Most tests use antibodies that recognize a bacterial molecule, and these antibodies are then visualized by a variety of methods; some methods are easier to perform or read. No individual brand of test is clearly superior to others. Most tests are greater than 90 percent accurate when group A streptococcal infection is not present, and are 60 to 70 percent accurate in determining the presence of infection. Because of this limited sensitivity to infection, negative tests should be substantiated with a bacterial culture. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0025-732X
Year: 1991
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Rapid diagnostic tests for influenza
Article Abstract:
The FDA has approved three tests for influenza. These tests can be performed in the doctor's office and if the patient tests positive, two drugs are available that must be started within two days of the onset of symptoms. The tests detect both influenza A and B viruses. The tests are Flu OIA, QuickVue influenza test, and ZstatFlu. QuickVue appears to be the easiest and fastest test in preliminary studies. Another diagnostic test, Directigen Flu A has been available for some time but only detects the influenza A virus.
Publication Name: Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0025-732X
Year: 1999
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Diagnostic tests for HIV
Article Abstract:
Most diagnostic tests for HIV detect either viral proteins, viral nucleic acids, or antibodies against viral proteins in the blood. Test that measure antibodies against viral proteins include ELISA, Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence. Tests that measure viral proteins usually test for the presence of the p24 antigen in blood. Several rapid tests exist, including SUDS, OraSure, and Calypte. Home Access is the only kit available for home use.
Publication Name: Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0025-732X
Year: 1997
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