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Background: Antistreptolysin O (ASLO) may be an isolated evidence of recent infection by group A Streptococcus, especially in patients suspected of having a nonsuppurative sequel to this infection. We evaluated ASLO titers in students from urban and rural areas, age and geographic characteristics of study population among several other variables, could be factors that may influence in the ASLO levels in children. Objective: To determine sera titers of ASLO in healthy adolescents from rural and urban areas in Mexico. Material and methods: ASLO were detected by nephelometry, including 218 sera from asymptomatic high school students, two schools belong to government, one was at urban area (group 1; n = 68) and other was located at country side (rural) area (group 2; n = 75). The remaining school belong to private system and was located at urban area (group 3; n = 75). Results: We included 218 sera, 58% were from females. Age (years) was expressed as median (maximum-minimum values) for groups 1, 2, and 3; 13 (12-18), 14 (12-18) and 14 (12-16) respectively. Weight (kg), height (cm) and body mass index (BMI) was expressed by mean ± SD values for groups 1, 2, and 3; weight 48.8 ± 8.8, 50.8 ± 7.8, 57.2 ± 11 respectively; height 154 ± 6.9, 156 ± 6.8, 161 ± 8.2 and BMI 20.2 ± 3.0, 20.9 ± 2.9, and 21.9 ± 3.6 respectively; when comparison among groups was performed, we found statistical differences in all variables. Titers for ASLO (UI/mL) expressed as median (maximum-minimum values) for groups 1, 2, and 3 were: 147 (20-828), 129 (25-1390) and 84 (25-848). Statistical differences between groups 1 vs 3, and 2 vs 3 were found. Discussion: We confirm the variability of serum ASLO values among high school students. Thus, group 1 exhibited the highest levels of ASLO, and lowest values of weight, height, and BMI. When comparing against group 2 differences were non-significant. When comparing ASLO titers, Group 3 displayed lowest levels, which significantly differed from those of both groups 1 and 2. These findings discard influence of geographic location in ASLO titers, and indicate that better socioeconomic conditions may play a role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Measurement of antibodies to extracellular products of group A streptococcus, specifically streptolysin O (ASO), is useful to detect previous streptococcal infection, besides its ability to identify those asymptomatic carriers or to support diagnosis of poststreptococcal disease. An inflammatory process has been considered as a one variable that could be modifying the interpretation of ASO test. Objetive: identify in serum from clinically healthy subjects the covariability of antibodies to streptolysin O (ASO) serum concentration, high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP). Methods: 87 serum samples from 87 clinically healthy subjects were tested. ASO, hsCRP, and total IgG were measured by nephelometry. Statistical analysis was performed using mean, median, and standard deviation with descriptive purpose; in addition, normality of the distribution of variables was determined. Spearman correlation test was performed in all cases. Significance was considered for p ≤ 0.05. Results: A non-parametric distribution was exhibited by both ASO and hsCRP values. Gaussian distribution was finding only for IgG values. Spearman correlation values for ASO against both hsCRP and IgG were 0.19 (p = NS). Conclusions: ASO values distribution did not correlate with dispersion of levels of hsCRP, neither IgG. This suggests that values obtained from clinically healthy subjects in this study where not modified influenced by a potential subjacent inflammatory process, neither IgG serum levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]