UW Hospital and Clinics Lab Test Directory
| Test Name: |
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Strep A Screen, Rapid Ag
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| Test Code(s): |
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RAPD
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| CPT Code(s): |
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87880
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| Methodology: |
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Immunoassay
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| Clinical Significance: |
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Rapid screening for Group A Streptococci from throat swabs. Culture confirmation of a negative rapid strep test is recommended on pediatric patients. Order Strep A Screen, Rapid Ag, Culture if Neg [RAPDSC] instead.
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| Days Performed: |
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Daily, 24 hours.
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| Turnaround Time: |
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Stat: 1 hour.
Routine: 4 hours.
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Specimen Requirements
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| Specimen: |
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Pharyngeal swab
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| Collection Instructions: |
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Use standard specimen collection techniques.
Culture swabs can be obtained from UWHC Central Supply.
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| Collection Container: |
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Preferred: CultureSwab®
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| Specimen Transport: |
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Store swab in tightly capped tube. Transport to UWHC Core Laboratory (B4/220).
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| Unacceptable Criteria: |
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Frozen swabs, swabs with calcium alginate or cotton tips or wooden shafts, and specimens greater than 72 hours post collection are not acceptable.
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| Stability: |
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Ambient: 8 hours
Refrigerated: 3 days
Frozen: Not acceptable
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Interpretation
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This is a screening test only. A negative result may indicate either that the specimen obtained was negative for the presence of Group A Streptococci or that the amount of antigen extracted from the specimen is less than the analytical sensitivity of the test. The result should be interpreted in conjunction with clinical and other data available to the clinician.
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| Additional Information: |
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Culture confirmation of a negative rapid strep test is recommended on pediatric patients. The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) practice guidelines (2002) state that, because of the reduced sensitivity of rapid antigen tests and the importance of accurate detection, predominantly for prevention of rheumatic heart disease, culture confirmation of negative rapid antigen tests is recommended for pediatric patients.
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Strep A Antigen (Rapid Test)
Rapid Strep Screen
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