STUDY OF CO RELATION OF ANTI STREPTOLYSIN-O ANTIBODY TITRE AMONG THE SUSPECTED PATIENTS WITH STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTION AT TERTIARY CARE CENTRE.

Abstract

Background: Rheumatic fever (RF) is a common public health concern in India, like other developing countries ^[1]. Modified Jones major and minor criteria with recently evidence of sore throat caused by group A streptococci which is confirmed by throat culture and sensitivity and superadded with positive streptococcal antigen test and raising in streptococcal antibody titre use for diagnosis of infection with streptococci ^[2].  However, in some cases of sore throat streptococci can be isolated, so in such cases several antibodies like anti-streptolysin O (ASO) and anti-deoxyribonuclease B (DNase B) are produced in response to group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal infection

Material and method: The study was conducted in the serology laboratory of Microbiology department, samples which are requested for the ASO investigation were received in serology laboratory. ASO testing was done by using Rhelax-ASO slide agglutination test kit from BEACON Diagnostics. Serum was separated out subjecting the specimen for centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes after allowing the samples to get fully clotted. Serum then separated out by using micropipette. Total 150 samples were investigated for the Anti-streptolysin O antibody by using above mentioned kit

Result: The 250 serum samples were processed for detection of Anti Streptolysin O antibodies. Total prevalence for ASO positive serum samples were 10 (4%) for Anti Streptolysin O antibodies. In (0-20) years of age group total 120 samples were received, out of these 06 samples were found to be positive for ASO antibody, prevalence rate 5%. In (21-40) years of age group total 85 samples were received, out of these 3 samples were found be positive for ASO antibody, prevalence rate 3.5%. In (41-60) years of age group total 35 samples were received; 01 sample was found to be positive with prevalence rate (2.8%). In more than 60 years of age group total 10 samples were received, no any positivity found in this age group.

Conclusion: The estimation of ASO antibodies is a simple, cost-effective way & test report can be given rapidly and test is correlated with clinical finding for routine diagnostic work. It is useful without depending upon the other test. The prevalence of Anti streptolysin O (ASO) antibody in this study among total cases was 4%. ASO antibody prevalence was higher in age group of (0-20 years).