THE RELATION OF THE SERUM ANTISTREPTOLYSIN TITER TO THE EXACERBATION IN CHRONIC GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

Abstract

Thirty-three exacerbations in chronic glomerulonephritis were observed in 15 of 81 nephritic patients studied for from 4 mos.-8 yrs. Each exacerbation was preceded by an infection. Twenty-four of the exacerbations were associated with rises in antistreptolysin titer, in 6 there was no rise, and in 3 the data were insufficient to determine whether a rise in titer had occurred. When it occurred, the greater the magnitude of the rise in titer, the greater was the incidence of associated exacerbation in chronic glomerulonephritis. The exacerbation preceded the onset of the rise in titer in 7 of the 8 sufficiently studied instances. There was a high incidence of transient impairment of renal function in exacerbations associated with and also without rises in antistreptolysin titer.