Anti-streptolysin o test in the diagnosis of group a beta hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in endemic regions: A preliminary study

Abstract

Antistreptolysin O titers were determined in school children colonized or infected with beta hemolytic streptococci using a rapid commercial latex agglutination kit. Seven (16.2%) of the 43 symptomatic children and five (4.8%) of the 105 asymptomatic children were ASO positive; all were from who were GAS+ve. Of the seven symptomatic children five had a titer of 200 IU/ml, one had a titer of 400 IU/ml and another had a titer of 1200 IU/ml; of the five asymptomatic children, three had titers of 400 IU/ml, one had 600 IU/ml and another 800 IU/ml. None with non-group A streptococci were positive for ASO. The percentage positivity of ASO among symptomatic and asymptomatic children was statistically significant (<0.05). We conclude that rapid ASO test is a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis.