Lacroix L, et al. - Researchers undertook a comparative analysis of the diagnostic performances of a new fluorescence-based immunoassay and a classic immunochromatographic rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) in children with group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis, via standard throat culture or polymerase chain reaction as references. In contrast with the standard immunochromatographic RADT, the immunofluorescence-based assay illustrated improved diagnostic performances. Likewise, it exhibited substantially higher sensitivity in children with McIsaac scores 2 or more, specific for GAS detection. The risk of GAS pharyngitis was ruled out in 91.6% of children due to the negative result. Hence, it served as an appropriate tool in pediatric emergency settings. Findings revealed that combined to the low incidence of rheumatic strains, critical appraisal of current practice for routinely carrying out a backup throat culture from children with pharyngitis and with negative GAS RADT could be reconsidered.