Determination of Antibody for Streptolysin-0 (ASO) As an Indicator for Tonsillar Infection

Abstract

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. To evaluate the validity of serum ASO in assessing cases of recurrent tonsillar infection. 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 October 2023 to July 2024. Surface swabs were obtained for cultures. ASO titer was performed to estimate its relation to tonsillar infection. 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. Although ASO titer is used commonly to determine streptococcal infection, it seems that it is not a decent indicator for recurrent tonsillar infections.