THE SERUM ANTISTREPTOLYSIN TITER IN CHRONIC GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

Abstract

The serum antistreptolysin titer response was analysed in 81 cases of chronic glomerulonephritis, studied over periods of from 4 mos.-8 yrs. Rises in titer were of value in detecting the group A hemolytic streptococcal etiology of many infections in these patients. A number of instances of chronic upper respiratory infections were observed in which repeated cultures showed the presence of group A hemolytic streptococci but in which there was no associated rise in titer. These were designated as the "carrier state." Certain factors affecting the antistreptolysin titer response in chronic glomerulonephritis were examined with the following results: (a) Sex had no effect, (b) In general, children exhibited greater titer response to infection than did adults, (c) The character of the preceding hemolytic streptococcal infection did not appear to affect the magnitude of the titer response, (d) In general, patients with nephrotic edema exhibited smaller rises in titer than did those without edema.