Beckman Coulter Introduces ICON Strep A Tests
Highly Accurate Tests Allow for Immediate Results and Same-Day Treatment
Fullerton, CA - Beckman Coulter Inc. announced the introduction of two rapid streptococcus antigen testing products - the ICON SC Strep A and ICON DS Strep A tests - designed to detect the presence of Strep A antigen in throat swab specimens. Both tests quickly diagnose strep throat, a contagious bacterial infection of the pharynx caused by a Group A streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). ICON SC Strep A and ICON DS Strep A are CLIA-waived, 98 percent accurate and provide results in as little as five minutes, allowing for immediate diagnosis and treatment.
The streptococcus bacterium is responsible for 10 percent to 19 percent of all sore throats. The majority of strep-throat infections occur in children between the ages of 5 and 15 with the highest incidence of infection during the winter and early spring months.
The ICON SC Strep A test is a rapid, point-of-care test that requires no mixing, measuring or working with fragile trays. The easy-to-use cassette format with clearly visible result window makes it easy to interpret test results and offers superior sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy for improved patient care.
In addition, the ICON DS Strep A, dipstick format test, allows for the rapid qualitative detection of Group A Strep antigen directly from a throat swab specimen. With outstanding performance, even in low colony count samples, ICON DS Strep A leaves little chance for misdiagnosis, minimizing the chance of rheumatic fever or inappropriate prescription of antibiotics.
According to Dr. Peter Heseltine, vice president and medical director for Beckman Coulter, an untreated strep throat can increase a patient's risk of developing streptococcal kidney disease or rheumatic fever - a disease that affects the heart, skin, kidneys and joints.
"A throat culture is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of Group A streptococcus infection, but traditional testing can take up to 48 hours to produce results. A rapid strep test takes only five minutes to perform and is an important first step in obtaining an accurate diagnosis and quickly determining treatment options."
Both the ICON SC Strep A and ICON DS Strep A are available in kits of 25 tests and can be stored at room temperature.
SOURCE: Beckman Coulter Inc.