CORTEZ DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

21250 Califa Street, Suite 102 and 116, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Tel: (818) 591-3030 Fax: (818) 591-8383
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.rapidtest.com

See external label 2°C-8°C =50 330-50-26

ANTISTREPTOLYSIN O

(ASO)
REAGENT SET A LATEX SLIDE TEST

330-50

INTENDED USE
For the qualitative and semi-quantitative measurement of antibodies to streptococcal exoenzymes in
human serum.

INTRODUCTION
The group A -hemolytic streptococci produces various toxins that can act as antigens. One of these
exotoxins Streptolysin O was discovered by Todd in 1932. 1
A person infected with group A -hemolytic streptococci produces specific antibodies against these
exotoxins, one of which is antistreptolysin O (ASO). The quantity of this antibody in a patient's serum will
establish the degree of infection due to the -hemolytic streptococcal. 2
The usual procedure for the determination of the antistreptolysin titer is based on the inhibitory effect that
the patient's serum produces on the hemolytic power of a pretitrated and reduced Streptolysin O. 2-6
However, the antigen-antibody reaction occurs independently of the hemolytic activity of Streptolysin O. 7
this property enables the establishment of a qualitative and quantitative test for the determination of the
ASO by agglutination of latex particles on slide. 2

COR Code # 26 1
PRINCIPLE
ASO test method is based on an immunological reaction between streptococcal exoenzymes bound to
biologically inert latex particles and streptococcal antibodies in the test sample. The reagent has been
adjusted in the way that presence of an ASO titer of 200 IU/mL or higher in the serum gives a visible
agglutination of the latex particles without previous sample dilution.

REAGENTS
1. ASO Latex Reagent: A suspension of polystyrene particles coated with streptococcal exoenzymes.
MIX WELL BEFORE USING.
2. ASO Positive Control: A stabilized human serum containing at least 200 IU/mL of ASO reactive with
the test reagent. Ready for use; do not dilute.
3. ASO Negative Control: A stabilized human serum containing less than 200 IU/mL of ASO non-
reactive with the test reagent. Ready for use; do not dilute.
4. Glycine-Saline Buffer (20x) pH = 8.2  0.1. A diluent containing 0.1 M glycine and 0.15 M NaCl.
Dilute buffer according to instructions on the label. All reagents contain 0.1% (w/v) sodium azide as a
preservative. Store all reagents at 2 - 8°C. DO NOT FREEZE.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

1. Reagents containing sodium azide may combine with copper and lead plumbing to form highly
explosive metal azides. Dispose of reagents by flushing with large amounts of water to prevent azide
build-up.
2. For in vitro diagnostic use.
3. Positive and negative controls predated using human sera found negative for hepatitis B surface
antigen (HBsAg) and HIV, however, handle controls as if potentially infectious.

REAGENT STORAGE AND STABILITY

1. Reagents are stable until stated expiration date on bottle label when stored refrigerated
(2 - 8°C).
2. DO NOT FREEZE.
3. The ASO Latex Reagent, once shaken, must be uniform without visible clumping. When stored
refrigerated, a slight sedimentation may occur and should be considered normal.
4. Do not use the latex reagent or controls if they become contaminated.

SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND STORAGE

1. Use fresh serum collected by centrifuging clotted blood.
2. If the test cannot be carried out on the same day, the serum may be stored between 2 - 8°C for no
longer than 48 hours after collection. For longer periods the sample must be frozen.
3. As in all serological tests, hemolytic or contaminated serum must not be used.
4. DO NOT USE PLASMA.

MATERIALS AND REAGENTS PROVIDED

1. ASO Latex Reagent.
2. ASO Positive Control.
3. ASO Negative Control.
4. Glycine - Saline Buffer.
5. Reaction Slide.
6. Pipette/Stir Sticks.

COR Code # 26 2
MATERIALS REQUIRED BUT NOT PROVIDED
1. Timer
2. Test Tubes, Rack
3. Serological Pipettes

PROCEDURE
Qualitative Test:
1. Bring reagents and specimens to room temperature before use.
2. Place one drop (50 µl) of ASO Positive Control on field #1 of the reaction slide. Place one drop
(50 µl) of the ASO Negative Control on field #2 of the reaction slide. Use pipette/stir stick to deliver 1
drop (50µl) of undiluted test serum sample to field #3. Continue likewise with additional unknowns.
Retain pipette/stir sticks for mixing step.
3. Gently resuspend the ASO Latex Reagent and add one drop to each test field.
4. Mix well with the flat end of the pipette. Gently rock the slide for two (2) minutes and read
immediately under direct light.

Semi-quantitative Test:
1. Set up at least five test tubes: 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, 1:16, 1:32, etc. and dilute samples according to dilution
factors on each test tube with diluted saline solution (see table below). NOTE: Saline solution has to
be diluted with distilled water before use.

Dilutions 1:2 1:4 1:8

Sample Serum 100 µl -- --
Saline 100 µl 100 µl 100 µl
100 µl
100 µl

2. Place one drop each of positive and negative controls onto the slide rings. Place one drop of each
dilution on successive fields of the reaction slides.
3. Gently resuspend the ASO Latex Reagent and add one drop to each test field.
4. Mix well with the flat end of the pipette. Gently rock the slide for two (2) minutes and read
immediately under direct light.

QUALITY CONTROL
1. Positive and negative controls should be included in each test batch.
2. Acceptable performance is indicated when a uniform milky suspension with no agglutination is
observed with the ASO Negative Control and agglutination with large aggregates is observed with the
ASO Positive Control.

RESULTS
Qualitative Test:
1. Negative reaction: Uniform milky suspension with no agglutination as observed with the ASO
Negative Control.
2. Positive reaction: Any observable agglutination in the reaction mixture. A positive reaction indicates
that the concentration of ASO in the specimen is equal or greater than 200 IU/mL. The specimen
reaction should be compared to the ASO Negative Control (Fig. 1).

COR Code # 26 3
 Positive Negative

Figure 1.

Semi-quantitative Test:
A positive reaction is indicated by any observable agglutination in the reaction mixture. Record the last
dilution showing a positive reaction. Concentration of ASO can be determined by multiplying the last
positive dilution factor of the sample with the concentration of the positive control (200 IU/ml).

The titer of the serum is the reciprocal of the highest dilution, which exhibits a positive reaction.

IU/ml of sample = Conc. of positive control x reciprocal

DILUTION RECIPROCAL IU/ml

1/2 2 400
1/4 4 800
1/8 8 1600
etc.

LIMITATIONS
1. Results should be read two (2) minutes after the mixing of the reagent on the slide. A reading
obtained after this period of time may be incorrect.
2. Existence of prozone at high titers has not been encountered.

EXPECTED VALUES
1. Although normal values can vary with age, season of the year and geographical area2, the "upper
limit of normal" ASO titers for preschool children is less than 100 IU/ml and in school age children or
young adults is usually between 166 and 250 IU/ml. In any case, the average can be established at
less than 200 IU/ml.
2. Because of this variation, titers above the upper limits may be indicative of a streptococcal infection,
but only a two dilution rise in titer between acute and convalescent stage specimens should be
considered significant1.
3. Following acute streptococcal infection, the ASO titer will usually rise after one week, increasing to a
maximum level within 3 to 5 weeks and usually returning to the pre-infection levels in approximately 6
to 12 months2.

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
1. ASO Reagent was evaluated on a total of 70 samples from hospital patients. The qualitative test was
evaluated by comparison with a commercially available latex agglutination test. This study
demonstrated a 90% agreement between these tests. The discrepant results were obtained in
samples with titers near the limit of sensitivity of the reagents. There were no discrepancies with
titers higher than 250 IU/ml.

COR Code # 26 4
2. A panel of 10 positive serum samples was tested on three consecutive days using the quantitative
technique. The results of the study indicated that ASO Reagent has 100% precision. The error of
repeated estimations was expected to be only one doubling dilution.

REFERENCES
1. Todd. E.W., J. Exp. Med. 55:267-280, (1932).
2. Klein. O.C. Immune Response to Streptococcal Infection, Manual of Clinical Immunology, American
Society of Microbiology, (1974).
3. Kalbak, K., The State Serum Institute. Denmark, (1947).
4. Klein, G.C., et al., Applied Microbiology. 19:60 (1970).
5. Klein, G.C., et al. Applied Microbiology, 21:999 (1971).
6. Rantz, L.A. et al. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. and Med. 59:22 (1945).
7. Hodge, B.K. Exp. Med. 58:277 (1933).

Date Adopted 2017-06-06

330-50 DA-ASO

CORTEZ DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

21250 Califa Street, Suite 102 and 116, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Tel: (818) 591-3030 Fax: (818) 591-8383
ISO 13485-2003

Revision Date: 2005-06

COR Code # 26 5