Purpose : This paper evaluates the value of a RSS(Rapid Streptococcal Screening) detection test through the use of a RSS detection kit and comparing the effectiveness of a RSS detection test with a throat culture. The RSS detection kit is a easier and...
Purpose : This paper evaluates the value of a RSS(Rapid Streptococcal Screening) detection test through the use of a RSS detection kit and comparing the effectiveness of a RSS detection test with a throat culture. The RSS detection kit is a easier and faster way to identify the infection of Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus(GABHS), the most common causal agent of acute bacterial pharyngitis. Also, this paper examines the different kinds of clinical symptoms which are associated with bacterial pharyngitis.
Methods : A throat culture and a RSS detection test were performed simultaneously to all 239 patients who were suspected of having acute pharyngitis. Then the values of the RSS detection test were analyzed comparatively on a chi square test. The correlation between Centor criteria clinical features and bacterial pharyngitis was examined through a logic regression test.
Results : According to the comparative analysis of the results of a throat culture and a RSS detection test, test sensitivity was 83.6%, specificity was 97.2% and kappa coefficient was 0.83(95% C.I: 0.75~0.91). This suggests a RSS detection test is very valuable statistically.
Conclusions: RSS detection test is considered to be more accurate than the diagnosis of bacterial pharyngitis based on clinical features. Assuming that all patients with acute pharyngitis take antibiotics, it is considered that using a RSS detection test would yield considerable percentages reduction of unnecessity antibiotics use.
Key Words: GABHS, RSS, throat culture, Centor criteria