Relationship of serum streptococcal antibodies to carrier state of beta-hemolytic streptococcus in throats of healthy schoolchildren

Abstract

The relationship of ASO, ASK and ASP to carrier state of beta-hemolytic streptococcus in throats of healthy schoolchildren was examined from September, 1980 to May, 1987. The responses to ASO significantly increased in children who detected group A, C and G streptococcus, and ASK in group A and G, and ASP in group A. The responses were especially high in children who detected group A, C and G streptococcus one after the other through the term of research, and in children detected another T type of streptococcus one after the other. Relatively high titers of ASO and ASK were obtained in sera of children from whom some groups or T types of streptococci were isolated several detection times. ASP titers were not concerned with these times. The elevation of antibodies in paired samples were found as follows; 7 cases in ASO, ASK and ASP together, 42 cases in ASO and ASK together, 3 cases in ASK and ASP together, 2 cases in ASO and ASP together, 41 cases ASO only, 38 cases in ASK only, 7 cases in ASP only. Among these cases with elevation of antibodies titers, several kinds of the change of streptococcal carrier state were observed between obtaining serum of twice. Especially 15 cases with change of carrier state from group A to group A were noticed. Among these 15 cases, 11 cases isolated another T type strain through the term of research, or found to contain the research-time when no streptococcal strain was detected. Both long term carrier state of the same group or the same type of streptococcal strain and change of carrier state of streptococcal group or T type lead the elevation of ASO and ASK titers.