Meaning of the ASO . test

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In medicine, in order to evaluate and diagnose whether a patient has a disease caused by hemolytic streptococci, an ASO test can be performed to measure the quantification of streptococcal antibodies present in the patient's blood. In addition to being used to diagnose hemolytic streptococci, the ASO test is also used to diagnose other diseases such as arthritis, rheumatism, ... so what is the meaning of the ASO test?

1. What is an ASO test?

ASO test, also known as ASLO, stands for Antistreptolysin O: Anti-streptococcal antibody. This is a test that measures the amount of antistreptolysin O in a patient's blood.
Symptoms of glomerulonephritis
Body fatigue Rash Swelling, joint pain High blood pressure Edema Decreased urine, blood in urine Symptoms of rheumatic fever High fever Swelling joint pain, especially elbow joints, elbow rash Rash Chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath

2. How is the ASLO test performed?

ASLO test is often ordered alone or in combination with Anti DNase B to determine whether the patient is sick with hemolytic streptococci. The disease caused by group A hemolytic streptococci is the bacteria that cause strep throat, most cases of this disease, the patient has a strep infection, which requires effective treatment with antibiotics. Strep infections have no symptoms, no known cause, so patients are easily subjective, untreated or ineffectively treated, which can easily lead to complications after streptococcal infection (glomerulonephritis, rheumatic fever). .
For the ASLO test, perform a blood draw from a vein, wrist, hand, or wrist. First, disinfect the site to draw blood, to make it easier to draw blood, use a cuff of the sphygmomanometer or a tight tie to prevent blood from returning from the vein. After taking blood, remove the wrap or wire to allow blood to circulate normally. The collected blood tube will be taken for testing.
The ASLO test can be performed twice, with samples collected at intervals of two weeks, measuring ASO levels when the patient is in the acute phase and in recovery for the purpose of determining levels antibodies increase, decrease, or remain unchanged. You can refer to the result of ASO test with normal level like:
Quantitative ASO = < 200 U/mL Qualitative ASO = negative In case ASO test result is negative or if ASO is present but at very low concentrations, the person most likely doesn't have a recent strep infection. This result will most certainly be true if the ASO test repeated 10-14 days after the initial test is also negative or low and if the anti-DNase B test is also negative. However, the ASO test cannot predict complications that will occur after a person is infected with hemolytic streptococcus and cannot predict the severity of the disease.

3. The current meaning of ASO testing

Thanks to the ASO test, it will help diagnose and detect diseases caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria such as: rheumatism, hemolytic streptococci, endocarditis,...
Identify antibodies Enzyme secreted by bacteria present in the patient's body against the enzyme streptolysin O, this antibody is the main cause of destruction of the patient's red blood cells. However, the ASO test still has some limitations as follows:
The ASO test is indicated only when there are clinical manifestations in a patient with a developed streptococcus infection, while a strep infection has no obvious symptoms. , so the ASO test is not routinely indicated. The ASO test detects only about 75 to 85% of patients with hemolytic streptococcal disease.

It can be seen that the ASO test plays a very important role in diagnosing whether a patient has a disease caused by hemolytic streptococci or not. However, for accurate results and effective treatment, patients should perform examinations at reputable medical facilities.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. Comprehensive medical consultation and treatment, meeting international standards. Customers when choosing to perform tests here can be completely assured of the accuracy of test results.

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