Eurolyser introduces a new whole blood test parameter for CUBE and smart point-of-care instruments: ASO

 

The parameter

Antistreptolysin O (ASO) is an antibody targeted against streptolysin O, a toxic enzyme produced by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Together with anti-DNase B, ASO is the most common of several antibodies produced by the human immune system in response to a strep infection with group A Streptococcus. Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes) is a bacterium causing strep throat and a variety of other infections.
 

Why measure ASO?

If diagnosed properly, most strep infections can be treated with antibiotics and the infections resolve. If, however, a strep infection does not cause identifiable symptoms, goes untreated, or is treated ineffectively, conditions such as rheumatic fever and the kidney disease glomerulonephritis can develop – especially in young children. Such conditions can cause serious complications such as damage the heart, acute kidney dysfunction, tissue swelling (edema) and high blood pressure (hypertension). An ASO test can be used to determine if such conditions/symptoms are due to a recent group A strep infection. The Eurolyser ASO assay is available as of today.
 

Applications in diagnostics

Considering the symptoms and disease patterns discussed above, the Eurolyser ASO assay is anticipated to be of particular interest for paediatricians and internists who regularly work with potentially infected patients.
 

ASO Test Video

This 3 minute video demonstrates the Eurolyser ASO test procedure with the CUBE instrument.