Evaluation of the Directigen Group A Strep test kit

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Abstract
The Directigen Group A Strep test kit was tested for its ability to detect group A streptococci directly from 147 throat swabs. The results were compared with results from conventional culture and Lancefield serological grouping tests. The data showed that 121 of 124 culture-negative throat specimens were also Directigen negative (98%) and that 21 of 23 culture-positive specimens were Directigen positive (91%). If specimens that provided < 10 colonies/plate of beta-hemolytic streptococci were eliminated, all of the culture-positive specimens were Directigen positive. Positive or negative results were available within 65-70 min of testing. The Directigen method is relatively simple to perform and easy to interpret and provides accurate assessment of the presence or absence of group A streptococci in throat swabs, with little or no cross-reactivity with other beta-hemolytic groups.