Quick Review Cards for Medical Laboratory Science

Serological Tests for Other

Bacterial Infections

Immunology Review 401

TEST

Anti-streptolysin
O (ASO)

Anti-DNase B

Streptozyme

Helicobacter pylori
antibodies

Mycoplasma
pneumoniae
antibodies

Rickettsial
antibodies

COMMENTS

Uses recombinant streptolysin ag. If ab pres-

ent, ag-ab complexes form & ↑light scatter.

Replaces classic neutralization method.

Highly specific. May be pos when ASO is neg.

Uses sheep RBCs coated with several strepto-

coccal ags. More false pos & false negs. Should

be used in conjunction with ASO & anti-DNase.

Serial titers should be performed.

Most tests detect IgG. 25% ↓in titer =

successful treatment. Abs remain for years.

Pos rapid tests should be confirmed by ELISA.

Can test for IgM & IgG abs. Replaces cold

agglutinin, which was nonspecific.

Organism specific assays replace Weil-Felix

rxn, which was nonspecific.

DIAGNOSIS

Sequelae of group A strep (GAS)

infection: rheumatic fever, post-

streptococcal glomerulonephritis

Sequelae of GAS infection: rheu-

matic fever, glomerulonephritis

following skin infection, i.e.,

impetigo

Sequelae of GAS infection

Gastric & duodenal ulcers caused

by H. pylori

Primary atypical pneumonia

(PAP)

Typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted

fever, other rickettsial infections

COMMON METHOD(S)

Nephelometry.

EIA, nephelometry.

Slide agglutination.

Method of choice: ELISA.

Rapid tests, PCR available.

Most common: EIA. Also

agglutination, IFA. Molec-

ular methods available.

Gold standard: IFA, micro-

IF. PCR available.