THE SERUM ANTISTREPTOLYSIN TITER IN ACUTE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

Abstract

In 116 consecutive cases of acute glomerulonephritis the bacteriological data indicate that 71.5% had a prodromal hemolytic streptococcal infection, and the immunological data show that 94% had had a recent hemolytic streptococcal infection. The height and duration of the antistreptolysin titer in patients with acute glomerulonephritis appear to be related to the severity, persistence, or recurrence of the hemolytic streptococcal infection. Analysis of the immunological and clinical data in the present study does not show any significant correlation between the height and duration of the antistreptolysin response and the severity or duration of the acute attack of nephritis or the tendency to develop chronic nephritis. There is a wide variation in the curve of antistreptolysin response constructed over a long period of time. The form of the curves has no relation to the severity or duration of acute nephritis or to the tendency to develop chronic nephritis.