Determination of antibody for streptolysin-0 (ASO) as an indicator for tonsillar infection

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the anti-Streptolysin O (ASO) titer and patients with history of recurrent tonsillar infection of different age and sex groups. Aim of the study:  To evaluate the validity of serum ASO in assessing cases of recurrent tonsillar infection. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study done on 50 patients of different ages and sex groups who were clinically diagnosed with recurrent tonsillitis and wishing to undergo a tonsillectomy at Basra Teaching Hospital over a period of 10 months from January 2023 to October 2023. Surface swabs were obtained for cultures. ASO titer was performed to estimate its relation to tonsillar infection. Results: The percentage of patients who had high ASO titer among patients who had positive GABHS cultures is nearly similar to those who had negative cultures. Conclusion: Although ASO titer is used commonly to determine streptococcal infection, it seems that it is not a decent indicator for recurrent tonsillar infections.