The Anti-Streptolysin O Antibody (ASO) test contains 1 test with 1 biomarker.
Description: The Antistreptolysin O Antibody test is a sensitive blood test used to detect recent streptococcal infection.
Also Known As: ASLO Test, ASO Test, ASO Antibody Test, Strep A Test, Streptococcus Group A Test
Collection Method: Blood Draw
Specimen Type: Serum
Test Preparation: No preparation required
When is an Anti-Streptolysin O Antibody test ordered?
When a patient exhibits symptoms that a medical professional believes could be related to a condition brought on by a prior strep infection, the ASO test is requested. When symptoms start to show, which typically happens a few weeks after a sore throat or skin infection when the bacteria are no longer in the throat or on the skin, the treatment is recommended.
For acute and convalescent ASO titers, the test may be carried out twice, with samples being taken roughly two weeks apart. This is carried out to ascertain whether the antibody level is increasing, decreasing, or staying the same.
What does an Anti-Streptolysin O Antibody blood test check for?
The hazardous enzyme streptolysin O, which is generated by group A Streptococcus bacteria, is the target of the antibody known as antistreptolysin O. The most prevalent antibodies generated by the body's immune system in connection to a strep infection with group A Streptococcus are ASO and anti-DNase B. The level of ASO in the blood is determined by this test.
A Group The bacterium that causes strep throat and a number of other illnesses, including skin infections, is streptococcus. Antibiotics are usually used to diagnose and treat strep infections, and the illnesses usually go away.
However, complications, such as rheumatic fever and a specific form of kidney disease, can occasionally arise from strep infections, particularly in young children, when they do not produce any distinguishable symptoms, are ignored, or are ignored but ineffectively treated. Due to frequent strep testing, these secondary diseases are now far less common in the United States, but they still do happen. Serious complications from these disorders include heart damage, acute renal dysfunction, tissue edema, and high blood pressure. If they are brought on by a recent group A strep infection, the ASO test can be used to assist identify the cause.
Lab tests often ordered with an Anti-Streptolysin O Antibody test:
- Anti-DNase B
- Strep Throat Test
Conditions where an Anti-Streptolysin O Antibody test is recommended
- Streptococcus
- Kidney Disease
How does my health care provider use an Anti-Streptolysin O Antibody test?
The main purpose of the ASO test is to identify recent group A streptococcal strep infections.
Antibiotics are typically used to diagnose and treat strep infections, and the illnesses usually go away. However, in certain persons, particularly in young children, complications, such as rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis, might arise when they do not result in observable symptoms and/or go untreated. Therefore, if a patient has a recent history of sore throat or a confirmed streptococcal infection and symptoms suggestive of rheumatic fever or glomerulonephritis.
What do my Anti-Streptolysin O Antibody test results mean?
About a week to a month after the initial strep infection, ASO antibodies start to develop. After reaching a high 3 to 5 weeks after the sickness, the level of ASO antibody gradually decreases, but it may still be detected months after the strep infection has cleared up.
It is highly likely that the person tested did not recently contract strep throat if the ASO is negative or present at extremely low titers. This is particularly true if a sample collected 10 to 14 days later is negative as well as if a negative anti-DNase B test results. There is a slight chance that someone with a strep infection complication won't have an increased ASO. This is particularly valid in the case of glomerulonephritis, which can arise following a cutaneous strep infection.
It is likely that the person who was tested has recently had strep infection if they have a high antibody titer or an increasing ASO titer. ASO titers that are initially high and then start to drop indicate that an infection has started and might be on the verge of going away.
The ASO test does not foretell the type or severity of the disease, nor does it foretell if there would be problems after a strep infection. An increased ASO level may be utilized to support the diagnosis of glomerulonephritis or rheumatic fever in cases where symptoms are already present.
We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.
