Strep in blood | Imamother

amother

OP ↓

Sun, Jan 12 2025, 11:43 am

We checked my ds for strep in blood due to various symptoms and the antistreptolysin came back at 483 which my dr says is borderline high and is treating it with zithromax for one month. Does that mean pandas? Would appreciate any info

Checkmate ↓

Sun, Jan 12 2025, 11:45 am

It means that there was a recent strep infection that wasn't treated. It doesn't necessarily mean pandas. My child had knee pain and his antistreptolysin came back high.
ETA: Someone will pandas will have a high antistreptolysin count though.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sun, Jan 12 2025, 11:51 am

Checkmate wrote:

Thanks. What else would be symptoms of pandas? There is no drastic change in mood, behavior, or anything. He is just developing slower than his peers socially and academically

amother

Mint

Sun, Jan 12 2025, 11:53 am

That blood test isn't looking for strep in the blood. It's looking for strep antibodies in the blood, iow an immune reaction to strep which likely means a recent strep infection or recent exposure to strep. An actual strep infection in the blood would look VERY different.

There is no blood test for pandas. Pandas is a post-infectious disorder, meaning the infection has already passed. The symptoms are caused by the lingering immune response. Instead of attacking the strep bacteria, the immune system attacks the brain causing behavioral and neurological symptoms.

Pandas is diagnosed based on behaviors. Often doctors look for strep titers though. It gives them a clue. If there was a recent strep infection or exposure as proven by elevated titers + there are new behaviors consistent with pandas, it's worth considering a pandas diagnosis.

Sometimes the elevated titers indicate a chronic strep infection.

If the antibiotics help with the behaviors, it will tell you a lot about where those behaviors are coming from. You can add motrin too. If you see a clear improvement that tells you that inflammation is at play.

Hope this helps.

↑ Checkmate

Sun, Jan 12 2025, 11:55 am

Pandas usually comes with mood and behavior changes. Pandas is inflammation of the nervous ecosystem/brain in reaction to high strep antibodies. I doubt that what you're describing is it but I'm no expert.

amother

↑ OP

Sun, Jan 12 2025, 11:58 am

amother Mint wrote:

Yes it does! I really appreciate the detailed info. I will just continue the antibiotics and see how he does