Streptococcal pharyngitis: Diagnosis by gram stain

G. Crawford, F. Brancato, K. K. Holmes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)293-297
Number of pages5
JournalAnnals of internal medicine
Volume90
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1979

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine

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