Streptococcus Panel
A Streptococcus PCR panel is a test that uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect and identify different species of streptococcus bacteria in a sample. Streptococcus bacteria are gram-positive cocci that can cause various infections, such as pharyngitis, pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis, and necrotizing fasciitis. Some of the common streptococcus species that are included in a PCR panel are:
- Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A streptococcus (GAS), which causes strep throat, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, and toxic shock syndrome.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus, which causes pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media, and sinusitis.
- Streptococcus agalactiae, also known as group B streptococcus (GBS), which can cause neonatal sepsis, meningitis, and chorioamnionitis.
- Streptococcus equi, which is divided into two subspecies: equi and zooepidemicus. The former causes strangle, a contagious respiratory disease in horses, while the latter can cause infections in various animals and humans.
A streptococcus PCR panel can provide rapid and accurate results that can help diagnose and treat infections caused by these bacteria. It can also detect the presence of resistance genes that may affect the choice of antibiotics. A streptococcus PCR panel can be performed on different types of samples, such as sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), spinal fluid, or blood. Depending on the type of sample and the method used, the turnaround time for a streptococcus PCR panel can vary from a few hours to a few days.
