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Non–group A streptococcus (NGAS) is detected in close to 12% of throat cultures performed for pharyngitis in school-age children. The detected bacteria likely reflect colonization rather than infection. Given the lack of evidence for complications following untreated pharyngitis due to NGAS, current guidelines recommend against prescribing antibiotics.
This study examined the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of GAS and NGAS among children at a large U.S. community-based healthcare system. Among almost 350,000 rapid diagnostic tests and bacterial throat cultures performed over a 10-year period, GAS was identified in 23% of patients (78% by rapid testing and 22% by culture) and NGAS was detected in 3% of patients with a culture perfor…