EVALUATION OF ANTISTREPTOLYSIN-O TITRE AS A DIAGNOSTIC SEROLOGICAL TEST IN PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH JOINT PAIN AND FEVER

Abstract

Introduction- Group A beta hemolytic streptococci is the most frequent agent causing pharyngits. Rheumatic fever is a febrile disease affecting connective tissue of heart, joint, central nervous system, skin & subcutaneous tissue. Commonest age group affected 5-15 years. Material and Method – Samples were collected from patient attending opd and indoor of paediatric deptt of pmch,patna. Patients belonging to 5-15 age group were selected. ASO titre was done by latex agglutination test. Both qualitative and semi quantative test was done. Result and Discussion- Total no. of cases 70, in 5-10 years group, total no. of case was 45 which consisted of male 29 & 16 female. In 11-14 year age group out of 25 cases, 17 males and 8 female. In 5-10 years age group out of 45 cases 33 showed significant ASO titre (73.33%) and in 11-14 Years age group out of 25 cases 18 showed significant titre (42%). The significant rise in ASO titre is helpful is in establishing the diagnosis of joint pain in Rheumatic fever. ASO titre is still used in developing country such as India for detection of gp A streptococcal infection & Rheumatic fever as sequelae.