Potential for molecular testing for group a streptococcus to improve diagnosis and management in a high-risk population: A prospective study

Abstract

Background. In high-burden settings, guidelines recommend antibiotic treatment for all suspected group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections to prevent rheumatic fever and poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. Highly sensitive rapid GAS tests could reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in these settings. Methods. This was a prospective study of the Xpert Xpress Strep A (Cepheid) molecular test compared with culture of throat swab samples collected at a referral hospital in northern Australia. Demographic and clinical data and results of streptococcal serology and culture were collected. Results. Of 164 throat swab samples, 145 (88%) were eligible for inclusion; 49 (34%) were molecular test positive a..