title: Current practice about the evaluation of antibody to streptolysin O (ASO) levels by physicians working in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of post streptococcal diseases is usually confirmed by immunological tests. Only the antistreptolysin O is usually prescribed by physician. This study aimed to describe the current practice of these requests in Antananarivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was a retrospective and descriptive study conducted at the Para clinic Unit of Immunology at the University Center Hospital of Antananarivo. We analyzed all requests during seven years, from January 2003 to December 2009. We looked at age, gender, and clinical symptoms which led to the request and the result for each request.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We retained 4143 requests for antistreptolysin O titration in our study. The mean age of the study participants was 32.9 years with 18.3% of participants being less than 15 years old. The main symptoms leading to the request of this analysis were rheumatologic (41%), followed by neurological (13.9%) and cardiologic symptoms (8.5%) and 19.4% were prescribed for various symptoms. Only 15% of all requests had a value more than 200 U/ml.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study found that in most of requests, ASO titre levels were not significant.
authors.affiliation: University center hospital of Antananarivo, Para clinic unit of immunology, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
authors.forename: Norosoa Julie
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Zafindraibe
authors.affiliation: University center Hospital of Fianarantsoa, Laboratory unit, fianarantsoa, Madagascar.
authors.forename: Zely Arivelo
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Randriamanantany
authors.affiliation: University center hospital of Antananarivo, Para clinic unit of immunology, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
authors.forename: Davidra Hendriso
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Rajaonatahina
authors.affiliation: University center hospital of Antananarivo, Para clinic unit of immunology, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
authors.forename: Ramamonjisoa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andriamahenina
authors.affiliation: University center hospital of Antananarivo, Para clinic unit of immunology, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
authors.forename: Andry
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rasamindrakotroka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008270:Madagascar; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012698:Serologic Tests; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013301:Streptolysins / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D013301:Streptolysins; C025964:streptolysin O
keywords: ASO titration; Antananarivo; Post streptococcal infections