Relationship Between the Clinical Likelihood of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis and the Sensitivity of a Rapid Antigen-Detection Test in a Pediatric Practice

Abstract

For pediatric patients who are clinically unlikely to have GAS pharyngitis, as indicated by a McIsaac score < or =2, the sensitivity of a second-generation RADT may drop below thresholds reported for cost-effectiveness. For children who have tonsillar exudate and no cough, the test may be sensitive enough to meet current pediatric practice guidelines for stand-alone testing.