Early Strep A diagnosis can ensure prompt treatment and minimal spread of the infection
Sore throat (acute pharyngitis) is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical attention in primary care.1 Most cases of acute pharyngitis are caused by viruses, but the most common bacterial cause is Strep A (Streptococcus pyogenes), also known as GAS (Group A Streptococcus).2 In rare cases group A Strep can cause a severe and life-threatening infection known as invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS).3
GAS pharyngitis can occur in people of all ages, but it is most common among children between 5 to 15 years of age. Infection most commonly spreads through direct person-to-person transmission, and crowded conditions facilitate transmission – for example, such as those in schools, and daycare centers.4
As the signs and symptoms of Strep A infection and those of pharyngitis caused by other micro-organisms overlap broadly, the diagnosis should be based on clinical and epidemiological data supported by laboratory tests2. Testing of Strep A is important as GAS pharyngitis should be treated with antibiotics.
Early verification or exclusion of Strep A infection:
- Enables prompt antibiotic treatment, and minimal spread of the infection
- Helps to avoid inappropriate antibiotic use (when Strep A infection is excluded)
Antibiotic treatment of Strep A infection shortens the duration of symptoms and prevents the risk of development of complications. It also reduces the risk of transmission of the infection.4
GAS pharyngitis is diagnosed by rapid antigen detection test or bacterial culture, and is treated with antibiotics.4
QuikRead go Strep A for detecting Strep A at the point of care
QuikRead go® Strep A is an easy-to-use and rapid antigen detection test which reliably detects Strep A from a throat swab sample. It provides an accurate and timely result in less than four minutes.
The result, either positive or negative, is displayed on the instrument, thus eliminating the subjectivity associated with visual assessment of the test result. To improve the traceability of the test results, the instrument can be connected to LIS/HIS systems.
Fast and accurate QuikRead go Strep A test aids in early GAS detection and drives evidence-based treatment in point-of-care environment. Learn more about QuikRead go Strep A test.
References:
- Finley C et al. What are the most common conditions in primary care? Canadian Family Physician 2018; 64 (11), 832-840.
- Bisno AL, Gerber MA, Gwaltney JM Jr, Kaplan EL, Schwartz RH. Practise Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis. CID 2002; 35(2); 113 - 125.
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Increase in Invasive Group A streptococcal infections among children in Europe, including fatalities. Available at: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/increase-invasive-group-streptococcal-infections-among-children-europe-including. Press release 12 December 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Group A Streptococcal Disease. Pharyngitis (Strep Throat). https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-hcp/strep-throat.html Accessed 23 February 2024.