HSD113 Reducing Antibiotic Misuse Through the Use of Point-of-Care Tests in Germany – A Multicenter Study

Abstract

Acute pharyngitis is in more than 80% of viral etiology, though it remains one of the most common causes for unnecessary prescription of antibiotics. Half of patients receive antibiotics in general practice. Throat swab testing (TST) distinguishes between bacterial and viral pharyngitis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the administration of TST to detect Group A streptococci infection in primary care.