Streptococcus antibodies in a rural population and in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases

: An account is given of assessed titres of anti-streptolysin O (ASO) and antihyaluronidase (AH) in rheumatic fever, in rheumatic patients of inactive phase and in tonsillitis. The ASO titre was examined in 1739 members of the general public and in 360 patients with chronic rheumatic diseases. The author analyses 6235 examinations of ASO titres and 1210 AH examinations. In rheumatic fever the mean maximum ASO titre was 397 u, while the mean maximum AH titre was 3583 u. In inactive phase rheumatic patients the mean ASO titre was 187 u, the mean AH titre 630 u. The mean ASO titre at the onset of the disease in tonsillitis was 172 u. During the second examination after 3-4 weeks, the mean rise of the ASO titre was 205 u. A increased AH titre above 1280 u was recorded during the first examination in 35.2%, during the second examination in 52.3%. The mean ASO titre in the population group comprising 1739 subjects was 148 u. A titre increased above 200 u was recorded in 20.7%. The mean ASO titre in rheumatoid arthritis was 139 u, in ankylosing spondylitis 199 u, in systemic lupus erythematosus and diffuse scleroderma 128 u. In all groups the ASO and AH levels were inversely proportional to the age of the examined subject. Attention is drawn to the correct evaluation of the assessed antibody titres.