Molecular Point-of-Care Testing in the Emergency Department for Group A Streptococcus Pharyngitis

Objectives To compare clinical and health systems outcomes of rapid molecular testing versus throat culture recovery for the management of group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis in a pediatric emergency department (PED). Methods We conducted a single-center randomized trial of children (3–17 years) presenting to a PED with suspected GAS pharyngitis. A single dual-headed throat swab was collected, and participants were randomized to 1 of 2 parallel treatment groups with 1:1 allocation: point-of-care (POC) nucleic acid amplification testing or standard throat culture. The primary outcomes were time to throat pain +/− fever resolution. Secondary outcomes included absenteeism, length of stay, return visits to care, and antibiotic prescriptions and utilization. Results A total of 227 children were randomly assigned to culture (n = 115) or POC (n = 112) testing. Antibiotics were initiated earlier in the POC group by approximately 1 day (95% confidence interval, −0.40 to −1.58). No associated difference in time to throat pain or fever resolution was observed between groups. There was a decrease in the proportion of prescribed antibiotics in the POC group (0.35) compared with the culture group (0.79; P < 0.001). Otherwise, no significant differences in secondary outcomes were observed. Conclusions Establishing a POC nucleic acid amplification testing program for GAS in a PED facilitates earlier treatment and fewer antibiotic prescriptions. Although this did not translate to improved clinical and health systems outcomes in our study, it may serve as an important tool amid evolving pediatric febrile illnesses and growing antimicrobial resistance patterns.