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ELECTRONIC ARTICLE:
Robert A. Shapiro, Charles J. Schubert, and Robert M. Siegel
Neisseria gonorrhea Infections in Girls Younger Than 12 Years of Age Evaluated for Vaginitis
Pediatrics 1999; 104: e72 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
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eLetters published:

[Read eLetters] Quick strep-test in vaginitis
Mats Reimer   (6 December 1999)
[Read eLetters] Re: Quick strep-test in vaginitis
Robert Shapiro   (9 December 1999)

Quick strep-test in vaginitis 6 December 1999
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Mats Reimer,
Primary care Pediatrician
Pediatric Clinic, Moelnlycke, Sweden

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Re: Quick strep-test in vaginitis

reimer{at}telia.com Mats Reimer

Since Group A Streptococcus is the most common agent found when a prepubertal girl presents with a vaginal discharge it seems a waste of time and money to do a culture every time. I use an antigen test for strep throat first. If it's positive I treat with penicillin V, and only if it's negative I send a swab for culture.

Re: Quick strep-test in vaginitis 9 December 1999
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Robert Shapiro
Author

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Re: Re: Quick strep-test in vaginitis

robert.shapiro{at}chmcc.org Robert Shapiro

Dr. Reimer:

I can see that your approach would reduce the cost of the evaluation but since the Group A strep antigen test is not approved for vaginal specimens it is difficult for me to recommend. Since the specificity of this test for vaginal specimens is unknown, you may get misleading results. In addition, since multiple organisms may be present in the vagina, a finding of strep does not guarantee the absence of an STD.