2022 Volume 71 Issue 1 Pages 45-52
eSwab is a multi-purpose collection and transport system that employs flocked swab and 1 mL of improved liquid Amies medium. We examined the usefulness of group-A hemolytic streptococcal antigen rapid and culture tests to confirm whether eSwab can be used for multiple purposes. eSwab was evaluated by conducting three studies using Seed Swab No. 3 and the cotton swab attached to the antigen test kit as comparison targets. Antigen test results were similar between eSwab and Seed Swab No.3. In culture tests, the amount of Streptococcus pyogenes that grew when using eSwab was more than that of Seed Swab No. 3. In the comparison of storage performance, the numbers of viable S. pyogenes in eSwab and Seed Swab No.3 remained almost constant in refrigerated storage. The results of the group-A hemolytic streptococcal rapid antigen test of clinical specimens collected by eSwab showed a sensitivity of 92.3%, a specificity of 100%, and an overall matching rate 97.9%. In the culture test, eSwab showed the same or a larger number of bacterial cells than Seed Swab No. 3. The sensitivity of eSwab was lower than that of cotton swab attached to the kit during the antigen test, but it was consistent with the sensitivities described in the package insert. As a result, it is considered that the use of eSwab in the group-A hemolytic streptococcal rapid antigen test has no performance problem. We consider that eSwab can be used for both culture and antigen tests. The advantage of using a sample collection container with a liquid medium is that one sample can be used in multiple tests. To capitalize on eSwab strengths, further studies including its use for viruses are necessary in the future.
