Infective endocarditis and rheumatic fever Flashcards
What is rheumatic fever? What parts of the body does it affect? (4)
It is a multisystem disease which occurs after a group A streptococcal infection. It affects the heart, skin, joints and CNS
What bacteria cause rheumatic fever?
Group A, beta heamolytic streptococci
How long is the latent period for rheumatic fever?
2-6 weeks
What are the risk factors for rheumatic fever? (4)
Patients from low socio-economic groups
Overcrowded conditions
HLA DR4 positive
When does rheumatic fever occur?
Occurs after repeated oropharyngeal streptococcal infections causing an exaggerated B lymphocyte response
In rheumatic fever, what cross-reacts with connective tissue?
Streptococcal antigens
Rheumatic fever causes Vasculitis - what is this? What does it affect in rheumatic fever?
Vasculitis means inflammation of the blood vessels. It affects the connective tissue in rheumatic fever
What microscopic structures would be visible when looking at a patient with rheumatic fever
Aschoff’s body - this is an aggregate of large cells with polymorphs and basophils around a vascular fibrinoid core
Rheumatic fever causes pancarditis - what is this?
What part of the body is most severely involved in this?
Pancarditis is inflammation of the heart.
The endocardium is the most severely involved
Chronic rheumatic fever may develop in what percentage of patients with acute rheumatic fever?
50%
What is the percentage of mortality in patients with rheumatic fever and carditis?
1%
What criteria is used when trying to diagnose rheumatic fever?
Duckett-Jones Criteria
What criteria combination indicates a high probability of rheumatic fever?
2 major criteria and one minor criteria
Name some examples of major criteria for rheumatic fever?
Carditis, polyarthritis, erythema marginatum ( rare skin rash that spreads on the trunk and limbs), subcutaneous nodule, chorea (movement disorder that causes involuntary, irregular, unpredictable muscle movements)
Name some examples of minor criteria for rheumatic fever?
Fever Arthralgia (joint stiffness) Previous rheumatic fever Raised acute phase proteins ECR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), CRP (C-reactive protein), Ferritin Prolonged P=R interval on ECG
What is polyarthritis?
It is when 5 or more joints are affected with arthritis
In what percentage of patients with rheumatic fever suffer with polyarthritis?
80-90%
What may be the first clinical manifestation of rheumatic fever after the streptococcal sore throat?
Polyarthritis
How long does polyarthritis last for?
4-6 weeks
What joints are mainly affected by polyarthritis?
Knee, ankle, elbow, hip and shoulder
How long may the pain last for in a particular joint when suffering with polyarthritis?
A week
What is carditis?
Carditis is the inflammation of the heart
In what percentage does carditis occur in rheumatic fever patients?
40-50%
How soon after polyarthritis does carditis occur in rheumatic fever patients?
2 weeks
How long does carditis last for in RF patients?
3-6 months
What are the clinical features of carditis in RF patients?
They may vary - they may not have any symptoms (be asymptomatic) or they may present with congestive heart failure
If a RF pt has a symptomatic carditis, how may this be recognised??
After other clinical signs have presented
or
Cardiomegaly on a chest x-ray
What is pericarditis?
Inflammation of the pericardium