Streptococcus pyogenes is non-motile gram-positive, which contains the Lancefield Group A antigen that can cause serious infections such as pharyngitis, respiratory infection, impetigo, endocarditis, meningitis, puerperal sepsis, and arthritis. Left untreated, these infections can lead to serious complications, including rheumatic fever and peritonsillar abscess. Traditional identification procedures for Group A Streptococci infection involve the isolation and identification of viable organisms using techniques that require 24 to 48 hours or longer.
