How to test for strep?

[Santi]

Hello,

 

I would like to find out for certain if my son has strep because of the high numbers of titers presently in his body(ASO=984 & DNASE B= 234). He had a throat and rectal culture done today. If that comes back negative, what are other tests that can be done to check other parts of his body?

Andrea

[thereishope]

I believe they can do a test on the stool for strep in the gut. They can also swab the nose. Have them check to make sure there are no signs of a sinus infection since strep can be the cause of that and the nose swab may not detect it. Sometimes kids have gone through MRI's to rule out a deep, hidden sinus infection.

[thereishope]

Here's some more info from the PANDAS FAQ page....

 

 

http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6266

 

 

Q: We had a negative throat culture, does that rule out PANDAS?

A: No. Group A Beta-Hemolytic Strep can colonize on the skin or the sinuses (plus ear infections, meningitis, pneumonia, GI infection, peri-anal/vaginal infections). A throat culture can confirm GABHS colonization but not rule out PANDAS.