Association between C-Reactive Protein Rapid Test and Group A Streptococcus Infection in Acute Pharyngitis

作者：Calvino Olga; Llor Carl^*; Gomez Frederic; Gonzalez Eva; Sarvise Carolina; Hernandez Silvia

来源：Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 2014, 27(3): 424-426.

DOI：10.3122/jabfm.2014.03.130315

• Antibiotics
• C-Reactive Protein
• Infectious Diseases
• Pharyngitis
• Streptococcus Group A

Introduction: The diagnosis of streptococcal infection is usually made with the use of Centor criteria, but some family doctors also rely on the determination of C-reactive protein (CRP) to guide antibiotic therapy. %26lt;br%26gt;Methods: This was an observational study conducted in a health center. Adults with acute pharyngitis and the presence of the 4 Centor criteria (tonsillar exudates, tender cervical glands, history of fever, and absence of cough) were recruited. The patients underwent a pharyngotonsillar swab for microbiologic study and a CRP rapid test during the consultation. %26lt;br%26gt;Results: A total of 149 patients were enrolled. The most frequent etiology was group A streptococcus, present in 83 cases (55.7%). The highest CRP concentration was observed among patients with group C streptococcus infection, with a mean of 56.3 mg/L (95% confidence interval, 25.7-86.5 mg/L). For patients with group A streptococcus infection, the mean CRP value was 34.4 (95% confidence interval, 25.6-43.3 mg/L). %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusion: CRP concentrations are not associated with group A streptococcus infection in patients with acute pharyngitis. The use of this point of care test is therefore not useful for distinguishing patients who require antibiotic therapy.

• 出版日期2014-6