Recent or Past Streptococcal Infection

• Elevated ASO titers suggest a recent exposure to streptococci and are used to support diagnoses of conditions such as scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

Autoimmune Sequelae

• In the setting of autoimmune diseases like rheumatic fever, an elevated ASO titer corroborates that the immune system’s reaction to streptococcal antigens may trigger subsequent inflammatory damage.

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ASO Titer Interpretations

• Low or Undetectable ASO Titers:
  These generally indicate either no recent streptococcal infection or that a sufficient amount of time has passed for the antibody level to decline.
• Variable Immune Response:
  It is important to note that not every streptococcal infection leads to a significant rise in ASO titers.

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Pediatric Population

• Children who present with signs of strep-related illness (or its complications) are routinely screened using ASO titres.

Adults

• Interpretation is similar, although chronic elevated titers in adults may also be seen in the aftermath of an untreated or partially treated infection.

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