Roche's Strep Test Decreases Wait Time for Results

Test results for group A streptococcus (Strep A) infection are about to appear much faster.

The FDA has cleared Roche’s cobas Strep A test, which can detect the cause of strep throat in throat swab specimens in 15 minutes, according to a company press release.

The test will run on the point-of-care diagnostic cobas Liat System, which will be available later this year.

“The cobas Strep A test is easy to use and provides accurate results to support a treatment decision in just 15 minutes, much faster than current technologies,” said Roche Diagnostics COO Roland Diggelmann in a press release. “It also provides a significant improvement over conventional methods such as culture testing, where patients can wait up to 2 days to receive their result, or rapid antigen testing where confirmation with culture is needed due to significantly lower sensitivity.”

Strep A is responsible for about 37% of sore throats among children and 5% to 15% among adults.