Isolate and identify group A ß-hemolytic streptococci; establish the diagnosis of strep throat.

Rheumatic fever remains a concern in the United States and serious complications including sepsis, soft tissue invasion, and toxic shock-like syndrome have been reported to be increasing in frequency;¹ therefore, timely diagnosis and early institution of appropriate therapy remains important. Timely therapy may reduce the acute symptoms and overall duration of streptococcal pharyngitis. The sequelae of poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and rheumatic fever are diminished by early therapy.

As group A streptococci are uniformly susceptible to penicillin, there is no indication for monitoring susceptibility to penicillin and the emergence of resistance. Susceptibility testing is not routinely performed.

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