Stay informed: Stream essential clinical updates on S. pyogenes

Since 2022, invasive S. pyogenes infections have surged worldwide, putting children and older adults at risk. Though less common in meningitis, these cases are often severe, and early detection is crucial for targeted treatment.

Many clinicians still underestimate this threat, and not all panels detect it. Yet our QIAsphere data shows S. pyogenes accounted for 2.8% of all positive detections – and around 8% of bacterial detections – by QIAstat-Dx Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel tests in 2024 1.
Positive detections in 2024 using QIAstat-Dx ME PanelPositive detections in 2024 for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa using QIAstat-Dx ME Panel 1

Explore our resources to help you stay prepared. Watch our interview with Dr. Athanasios Michos on the importance of fast S. pyogenes detection. Then, stream three clinical cases from a UK hospital that demonstrate why syndromic testing, and S. pyogenes detection in particular, are valuable in routine practice.

Watch: Dispelling myths about meningitis and S. pyogenes

In this video, Athanasios Michos, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases at the University of Athens, debunks common myths about Group A strep and explains why it's an important pathogen every clinician should be ready to detect in suspected CNS infections.

Watch now to uncover the facts behind this underestimated pathogen.

Listen: How a UK hospital routinely uses QIAstat‑Dx syndromic testing for CNS infections

Three real clinical cases provided by Katie Hardy, Consultant Clinical Scientist Infection Control Doctor, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, UK.
Katie Hardy
Case #1

A 72-year-old woman presented with dizziness and delirium, several months after recovering from S. pneumoniae meningitis. Could it be a recurrence – or something unexpected? Hear how syndromic testing helped uncovered the real cause.

Case #2

A 68-year-old man with a splenectomy and recent travel presented with headache, vomiting and confusion. Initial labs showed raised inflammatory markers, but cultures were negative. Find out how syndromic testing helped identify the pathogen despite prior antibiotic treatment, enabling early therapy adjustment.

Case #3

A 35-year-old woman presented with sudden headache, neck pain and photophobia – classic signs of meningitis. Although her infection markers were normal, she was started on IV antibiotics and antivirals. Learn how syndromic testing supported good antimicrobial stewardship and allowed her to go home sooner.

Key takeaways

These cases from a UK hospital highlight how QIAstat-Dx syndromic testing can help improve the diagnosis and management of CNS infections. By providing quick, sensitive RT-PCR results, QIAstat-Dx helped clinicians identify pathogens within hours, not days.

Importantly, the panel's ability to detect Streptococcus pyogenes supported timely treatment, infection control measures and necessary public health responses. Across cases, the test helped reduce unnecessary antimicrobials and improve antimicrobial stewardship, shorten hospital stays and ultimately support faster, evidence-based care.
New: QIAstat-Dx sets the benchmark for meningitis testing

The WHO now strongly recommends PCR-based testing for fast pathogen detection in patients with suspected CNS infections 2.

Our new IVDR-compliant QIAstat-Dx ME Panel aligns with the latest WHO guidelines and offers added value with unique detection of emerging pathogens like S. pyogenes. With some of the broadest coverage available – 16 clinically relevant pathogens, including CMV – it helps you detect more causes at once and get answers in about an hour.

Get the clarity you need to make confident decisions.

Learn more
QIAstat, QIAstat-Dx, ME, meningitis, encephalitis, meningitis/encephalitis, panel, cartridge
References
  1. From QIAstat-Dx Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel (Cat. No. 691611) epidemiology dashboards in QIAsphere Insights, January 2024 – December 2024 for EMEA
  2. World Health Organization. Guidelines for the Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Meningitis. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2025. Accessed June 27, 2025. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240108042

*Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii are both detected, but not differentiated, with QIAstat-Dx Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel.

For up-to-date licensing information and product-specific disclaimers, see the respective QIAGEN kit instructions for use or user manual. QIAGEN instructions for use and user manuals are available at www.qiagen.com or can be requested from QIAGEN Technical Services (or your local distributor).

QIAsphere data from connected institutions were used for scientific research purposes only after applying proper de-identification procedures and anonymization techniques, in accordance with HIPAA and GDPR privacy and data protection rules. Data is aggregated from QIAsphere-connected QIAstat-Dx instruments only.