Description
Strep A PCR is done to accurately diagnose pharyngitis caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS). Its incidence and prevalence have increased globally.
Annually, 616 million people have GAS pharyngitis, more than 18.1 million people develop severe GAS disease and more than 517,000 people die due to severe GAS disease.
Accurate diagnosis also reduces the overuse of antibiotics for the treatment of pharyngitis.
Literature shows 37% of children who presented with pharyngitis tested positive for GAS, however, 56% of visits were associated with antibiotic prescriptions. Similarly, 18% of adults presented with pharyngitis caused by GAS, but 72% were treated with antibiotics.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.
https://www.cepheid.com/en-US/tests/respiratory/xpert-xpress-strep-a.html
