Antistreptokinase antibodies: implications for thrombolysis in a region with endemic streptococcal infection: Table 1

Abstract

Aims:To determine antistreptokinase antibody (anti-SK) titres in patients with the acute coronary syndrome from communities with endemic group A streptococcal infection because of the implications for streptokinase (SK) thrombolysis.Methods:Anti-SK titres were determined using a standard method in 47 consecutive SK naive patients, presenting to the Mt Isa Hospital emergency department, Australia, with an acute coronary syndrome. Both indigenous and non-indigenous subjects were enrolled. Antistreptolysin O (ASOT) and anti-DNAse B (ADB) titres were also determined.Results:Indigenous patients were more likely to have anti-SK antibodies (p < 0.001) than the non-indigenous cohort. Anti-SK antibody titres also correlated well with ASOT/ADB titres.Conclusions:Anti-SK antibodies are highly prevalent in SK naive indigenous patients presenting with the acute coronary syndrome. Streptokinase should not be used for thrombolysis in populations with endemic group A streptococcal infection.

Streptokinase antibodies in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome in three rural New Zealand populations

“…Similar results were obtained in a more recent study that measured anti-SK titres in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes in another predominantly aboriginal rural Australian community 22. These findings led to a change in Australian guidelines which now recommend that alternatives to SK be used in rural areas, particularly for indigenous patients 23…”