The Value of High Antistreptolysin O Titre as an Indicator of Tonsillectomy in Upper Egypt

Abstract

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the benefit of performing of tonsillectomy in patients with raised serum ASO titre only in absence or presence of group A beta heamolytic streptococci (GABHS) in throat swab. Materials and methods: In this prospective cohort study, 196 patients below the age of 14 were suffering from non-specific streptococcal infections, without fulfilling the clinical parameters used for the diagnosis of chronic tonsillitis 156 patients had a raised ASO titre above 200 iu/ml. Throat swab culture was performed in all patients. Results: The results showed that out of the 156 patients, 52 had positive throat swab for GABHS. All of the patients underwent tonsillectomy. Follow-up of the patients for one year after the operation, 88% of the first group with high ASO titre and positive throat swab showed improvement of symptoms; 25% of the second group with high ASO titre and negative throat swab showed improvement of symptoms. Conclusion: Our study shows that isolation of GABHS from the patients tonsils by throat swab along with high ASO titre may be an indication of tonsillectomy in absence of any other indications.