Streptolysin O antibodies in Alexandria school children with and without history of streptococcal infection

ABSTRACT

One hundred school children attending out-patient clinic of Alexandria Sporting Students Hospital were investigated to determine ASO qualitatively using Human Latex test in relation to history of streptococcal infection [complaining=cases and non-complaining=controls], living and educational standards of their parents. It was found that neither age nor sex exerts a significant difference between the results of cases and controls. However, there was a slight rise of ASO in the age group [6-10 years] and a second rise in the age of transfer from primary to secondary school [14-18 years]. A significant difference between ASO results of cases and controls was evident in children with crowding index 0 and 1. We recommend to rely on laboratory tests as evidence of streptococcal infection and not on mere history of such infection