M183-1

Throat: no group A, C, or G Streptococcus or Arcanobacterium haemolyticum – Shipped November 05, 2018 –

HISTORY

A simulated throat swab sample collected from 12 year old female with pharyngitis was sent to category A and C laboratories.

Laboratories were expected to report the culture negative for specific pathogens.

MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from M183-1

1. Relying only on rapid grouping tests without consideration of colony size or other phenotypic tests may result in a non-pathogenic organism being falsely reported as the cause of pharyngitis.
2. Organisms such as S. anginosus that are commensals in the throat should not be reported as this may be clinically misleading, resulting in inappropriate and/or unnecessary treatment.

Full critique (PDF)