You've received your ASO Test results, but you may still be uncertain about whether they fall within the normal range. Continue reading this section to gain clarity on whether your results are within the expected range or not.
What Does ASO Blood Test Results Mean?
The ASO Test normal range [1] for adults is considered 200 and for children under the age of 5 years, it can be 100. The ASO titre normal range (ASO) levels can vary among different laboratories, and the values may depend on the specific testing method used.
Wondering about what happens if ASO titre is high? Well, The ASO Titre blood test results might be higher than the ASO Titre normal range if you have had a recent streptococcal infection, which typically means you are ASO titre positive. The ASO levels tend to spike during the 3rd to 8th week after the streptococcal infection and may decline after that.
Some individuals might not exhibit readily identifiable symptoms of streptococcus infections and post-streptococcal complications. So, Antistreptolysin O Titre tests need to be conducted repeatedly within 10 to 14 days to arrive at a conclusive diagnosis.
What Conditions Can Cause High ASO Blood Levels?
The result, which is higher than the ASO Titre test normal range, might be caused due to a recent streptococcal infection.
Some conditions that can cause high ASO blood levels include:
- Strep Throat: This is a common bacterial infection that primarily affects the throat and tonsils. If left untreated, it can lead to potential complications, such as rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation. The ASO Titre Blood test can help diagnose and monitor the progress of strep throat.
- Scarlet Fever: This is a streptococcal infection that causes a distinctive rash along with a sore throat and high fever. The ASO test can aid in confirming the diagnosis of scarlet fever and assessing the severity of the infection.
- Rheumatic Fever: This is a rare but serious complication that can occur after a strep throat or scarlet fever infection. It affects the heart, joints, skin, and brain. The ASO test can be useful in diagnosing rheumatic fever and monitoring its progression.
- Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis: This is a kidney disease that can develop after a strep throat or skin infection caused by streptococcus. The ASO test helps in identifying the presence of streptococcal infection and monitoring kidney function.
Your healthcare provider will recommend a rapid streptococcal antigen test or a throat culture if you are suspected of having throat-related complications as an aftereffect of untreated Streptococcal infection.
Anti-DNAse B, anti-hyaluronidase, or anti-streptophyte are some of the other potent antibody tests that your healthcare provider will recommend along with the ASO blood test to assess Rheumatic fever, Glomerulonephritis, and other conditions.
What Conditions Can Cause Low ASO Blood Levels?
Lower than the ASO titre normal range means that your streptococcal infection symptoms are declining. However, periodic ASO tests should be conducted to ensure no ill effects of the bacterial infection linger.
What Are Some Other Tests You May Need With an ASO Titre?
While the ASO Titre Blood Test is valuable in assessing streptococcal infections and related complications, additional tests may be required for a comprehensive evaluation. These tests may include:
- Throat Culture: A throat culture involves swabbing the throat to obtain a sample for laboratory analysis. It helps identify the specific strain of streptococcus causing the infection and guides appropriate treatment.
- Rapid Antigen Tests: These tests provide quick results by detecting specific streptococcal antigens in the throat. They are often used in conjunction with the ASO Titre test to confirm the presence of an active streptococcal infection.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): A CBC test measures various components of the blood, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. It can help identify any abnormal changes associated with a streptococcal infection.
- Kidney Function Tests: If there are concerns about kidney involvement, such as in post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, additional tests to assess kidney function, such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine serum test, may be ordered.
