Streptococcal pharyngitis: diagnosis by gram stain.
Ann Intern Med, 1979/3;90(3):293-7.
Crawford G, Brancato F, Holmes KK
PMID: 85421
Impact factor: 51.598
Abstract
Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated from 49 (10.4%) of 472 patients with pharyngitis. Throat culture results, interpreted by five observers of varying experience, showed the mean sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of a positive Gram-stained smear of pharyngeal secretions as 73%, 96%, and 71%. Assignment to a high-risk group by clinical algorithm gave sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of only 45%, 83%, and 23%. The Gram-stained smear is the most accurate method of early diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis.
MeSH terms
Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bacteriological Techniques; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Middle Aged; Pharyngitis; Staining and Labeling; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus; Streptococcus pyogenes
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