Implementation of molecular diagnostic testing for group a streptococcal pharyngitis: considerations and challenges with a focus on point-of-care environments.

Implementation of molecular diagnostic testing for group a streptococcal pharyngitis: considerations and challenges with a focus on point-of-care environments.

Publication date: Dec 17, 2024

Rapid and accurate detection of group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis allows for timely initiation of appropriate antibiotic treatment. This is important to prevent empiric antibiotic overuse while simultaneously lowering the risk of post-infection sequelae. Timely treatment may also reduce forward transmission, which could prevent cases of devastating invasive infections. The need for timely and accurate diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis has created an ideal environment for molecular diagnostic (MDx) testing. The high sensitivity of MDx tests mean no culture confirmation is required for negative results, and several MDx tests are approved for point-of-care (PoC) use. As such, MDx technology can lower the barriers to treatment in remote areas of high incidence, where resources are limited. We believe it is time for widespread adoption of MDx testing for GAS pharyngitis. Here we highlight the advantages of MDx GAS pharyngitis testing and discuss challenges to implementation – as well as solutions to these challenges. In the face of increased GAS-induced disease following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence supporting the clinical validity and cost-effectiveness of MDx testing for GAS pharyngitis continues to grow. Although hurdles to implementation exist, broad-based implementation of this technology is within practical reach.

Concepts Keywords
Antibiotic group a streptococcus
Increased molecular diagnostic testing
Molecular Point-of-care diagnostics
Pandemic strep throat
Sequelae Streptococcus pyogenes

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease MESH pharyngitis
disease MESH infection
disease MESH sequelae
disease MESH COVID-19 pandemic

Original Article

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