information

My daughter has lupus.  I have recently been told that my antistreptolysin level is at 643...the normal ranging from 0-200.  I also have not felt well for awhile which prompted my doctor to run the blood panel.  I cannot find much concerning this 'antistreptolysin'.  Could I possibly have lupus too?  Or what is my problem?

[chance588]

Hope this helps. Doesn't sound at all like Lupus to me.
When the body is infected with streptococci, it produces antibodies against the various antigens that the streptococci produce. ASO is one such antibody. So, a raised or rising levels can indicate past or present infection. Historically was one of the first bacterial markers used for diagnosis and follow up of rheumatism or scarlet fever. Its importance in this regard has not diminished.


Since these antibodies are produced as a delayed hypersensitive reaction to the above mentioned bacteria, there is no normal value. Any presence of these antibodies indicates an exposure to these bacteria. However, as many people are exposed to these bacteria and remain asymptomatic, the mere presence of ASO does not indicate disease.

Acceptable values, where there is no clinical feature of rheumatism are as follows:

    * Adults: less than 200 units
    * Children: less than 300 units

This titre (value) has a significance only if it is greatly raised, or if a rise in titre can be demonstrated in paired blood samples taken days apart.The antibody levels begin to rise after 1 to 3 weeks of strep infection,peaks in 3 to 5 weeks and falls back to insignificant levels in 6 months.

Values need to be correlated with a clinical diagnosis.