what is asot in acute glomerular nephrite

Hello,

This is a difficult question to answer, because l am not sure what level to pitch the answer at. l do not know how much background knowledge u will have.

In semi- medical language, ASOT is short for the ''Anti- Streptolysin O'' Titre (measurement) in the blood.

This 'streptolysin O' is a substance produced by a particular group of ''Streptococcus germs,'' ('Group A'), when they cause an infection, which is usually in the human throat.

The ''Anti-'' bit means, that the body has developed an antibody response to this substance, - - & therefore, that the body has had an infection with a Group A streptococcus recently.

The ASO level in the blood should normally be less than 160 Todd units per milliliter. After a Group A infection it rises a lot.

''Acute glomerulo-nephritis'' following a streptococcus infection, is uncommon these days, - - because infections that can lead to the disorder r commonly treated with antibiotics. The disorder may develop 1 - 2 weeks after an untreated throat infection, or 3 - 4 weeks after a skin infection with this streptococcus.

Broadly speaking, the ASOT test is used to sort out the different types of ''acute glomerulo-nephritis.'' It diagnoses those due to a recent group A streptococcal infection.

''Streptococcus'' is the name for small round (spherical) bacteria that like to occur in chains, here is a picture. http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/t028/T028362A.jpg & here at a smaller magnification, . http://life.umd.edu/classroom/bsci424/Images/PathogenImages/StreptococcusGramStain2.jpg

In terms of size, they r smaller than a white blood cell. White blood cells r shown here as individual blue smudges. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Streptococcus_pyogenes_01.jpg/611px-Streptococcus_pyogenes_01.jpg

Group A streptococci like to infect the throat. Here is a picture of a Group A throat infection, - - note the swollen red tonsils, & all the bright red spots on the back of the hard palate. http://cmaj.ca/content/vol175/issue1/images/large/19ff1.jpeg

Group A strep produce a substance that gets carried around in the blood stream, & then causes damage to the kidneys. Symptoms appear about 10 days later.

l hope this is of some help, & not too technical.

Best wishes,

Belliger (retired uk gp)