@article{mbs:/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/00222615-10-2-249, author = "Martin, Diana R. and Stanhope, J. M. and Finch, Lesley A.", title = "Delayed Culture of Group-A Streptococci: An Evaluation Of Variables in Methods of Examining Throat Swabs", journal= "Journal of Medical Microbiology", year = "1977", volume = "10", number = "2", pages = "249-253", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/00222615-10-2-249", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/00222615-10-2-249", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1473-5644", type = "Journal Article", abstract = "SUMMARY We studied the effects on the frequency of isolation of group-A streptococci from throat swabs of school children of three variables: (1) plating the cultures within 4 h of collecting the swabs or after storage for 4 days at room temperature; (2) using a plain or a serum-coated cotton swab; and (3) including silica gel in the swab tube or omitting this. Under the conditions of our experiment, only delayed plating of the swab gave a statistically significant advantage. When the delayed-isolation technique was used, neither the swab type nor the presence or absence of silica gel significantly influenced the result. The least advantageous combination of variables was: plating within 4 h, a plain swab, and the absence of silica gel.", }