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HelpTest ID ASO Antistrep-O Titer, Serum
Useful For
Demonstration of acute or recent streptococcal infection
Method Name
Nephelometry
Reporting Name
Antistrep-O Titer, SSpecimen Type
SerumContainer/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Additional Information: Fasting preferred but not required.
Forms: If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Neurology Test Request Form-General (T732) with the specimen (http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/it-mmfiles/neurology-request-form.pdf)
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days | |
| Ambient | 7 days |
Clinical Information
A number of bacterial antigens have been identified in cultures of group A streptococci. These extracellular products are primarily enzymatic proteins and include streptolysin O, streptokinase, hyaluronidase, deoxyribonucleases (DNases A, B, C, and D), and nicotinamide adenine nucleotidase.
Infections by the group A streptococci are unique because they can be followed by the serious nonpurulent complications of rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis. Recent information suggests that rheumatic fever is associated with infection by certain rheumatogenic serotypes (M1, M3, M5, M6, M18, and M19), while glomerulonephritis follows infection by nephritogenic serotypes (M2, M12, M49, M57, M59, and M60).
Glomerulonephritis and rheumatic fever occur following the infection, after a period of latency following the infection, during which the patient is asymptomatic. The latency period for glomerulonephritis is approximately 10 days, and for rheumatic fever the latency period is 20 days.
Reference Values
<5 years: ≤70 IU/mL
5-17 years: ≤640 IU/mL
≥18 years: ≤530 IU/mL
Cautions
The use of the antistreptolysin O (ASO) for the diagnosis of an acute group A streptococcal infection is rarely indicated, unless the patient has received antibiotics that would render the culture negative. There are certain limitations to the use of the ASO test in these circumstances due to the delay and attenuation of the immune response following early antibiotic therapy.
False-high titers may be obtained with sera that are contaminated by certain bacterial organisms during shipment or storage and in patients with liver disease where the presence of high lipoprotein concentrations in the serum may mimic antibody activity.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday; Continuously until 3 p.m.
Report Available
Same day/1 dayPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test has been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
86060