Test Overview
OSMO Ultra Strep A - immunochromatography for Strep A antigen detection
Performed in Emergency room laboratory by authorized laboratory technicians. Group A streptococcus is one of the most important cause of acute upper respiratory tract infections. Early diagnosis and treatment of Group A Streptococcal pharyngitis has been shown to reduce the severity of the symptoms and further complications such as rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis.
Negative results for healthy individuals.
* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.
The department of pathology recommends confirmation of all negative tests.
All negative tests are confirmed from the Emergency room lab and sent to Microbiology lab for Group A Strep DNA, PCR.
Improperly collected throat swabs may lead to false negative results. The quality of the tests depends on the quality of the sample; proper throat swabs specimens must be obtained. Negative results can occur from inadequate specimen collection or antigen levels which hare below the detection limit of the test. The OSMO ultra strep A is a qualitative test for the detection of Group A streptococcal antigen. The test detects both viable and non-viable Group A strep and may yield a positive results in absence of living organism. This test does not differentiate between different carriers and acute infection. Pharyngitis may be caused by viral bacterial pathogens other than Group A strep. If the test result is inconsistent with clinical symptoms, a second throat swab should be collected for repeat testing.
Test Details
7 minutes
Specimen Requirements
Collect specimen from the throat using the E swab:
1. Open the Eswab sample collection kit and removed the tube and swab applicator.
2. Collect the specimen from the patient, swabbing both tonsillar pillars and oropharynx. During specimen collections, when handling the swab applicator to not touch the area below the marked breakpoint indication line (red line) Take care to avoid the teeth, gums, tongue or cheek surfaces.
3. Aseptically unscrew and remove the cap from the tube.
4. Insert the swab into the tube and bend the swab shaft at the breakpoint indicated by the colored line marked on the swab.
5. Replace the cap on the tube and secure tightly. The swab will center itself into the lid
6. Label container with a demographic label