Question

A pediatrician contacted the laboratory to ask which test or tests would be most useful in the case of a child suspected of having complications following Strep throat. The technologist

asked this physician some questions about what she was trying to determine and found that the pediatrician wanted the test or tests most likely not to miss potential antibodies produced against streptococcal antigens. Which of the following should the technologist recommend?
Select one:
a. Streptozyme test followed, if positive, by ASO
b. ASO test followed, if positive, by Streptozyme
c. Culture followed, if positive, by Rapid Strep cassette testing
d. Rapid Strep cassette testing followed, if positive, by culture

Answer 1

The lab technician can use the Streptozyme test, ASO test, and culture test to determine if the infection is staphylococcal or streptococcal and recommend the best course of antibiotic treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The lab technician can determine if the infection is staphylococcal or streptococcal by performing specific tests. One method is the Streptozyme test, which detects antibodies produced against streptococcal antigens. Another method is the ASO (Anti-Streptolysin O) test, which detects antibodies against a toxin produced by the streptococcal bacteria. The lab may also perform a culture test to isolate the bacteria from a throat swab and identify the strain.

To determine the best course of antibiotic treatment, the lab may recommend performing a Rapid Strep cassette test or a culture test. The Rapid Strep cassette test detects the presence of streptococcal antigens directly from a throat swab, providing quick results. If the Rapid Strep test is positive, confirming the presence of streptococcal infection, a culture test can be performed to identify the specific strain and determine antibiotic susceptibility.