title: ASO titer or not? When to use streptococcal serology: a guide for clinicians.
abstract: Clinicians frequently request serologic tests to provide evidence of prior infection by Streptococcus pyogenes, especially when suspecting a diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever or post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. However, the interpretation of these tests is difficult and should take account of the clinical features, epidemiological setting, and pre-test probability, as well as the specific aspects of the assay. This review details the characteristics of streptococcal serologic assays and provides recommendations for their use and interpretation.
authors.affiliation: Oxford University, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Parks
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Smeesters
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Steer
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial