Lecture 28: Rheumatic fever

Question 1

What causes rheumatic fever?

Answer 1

Strep A : Sore throat or skin sores (Strep. pyogenes)
->
Rheumatic fever
-> (repeated infections)
Susceptible host = Rheumatic heart disease

Question 2

Whats the conceptual challenge of RF and RHD?

Answer 2

Rhuematic fever is an infectious disease

whilst

Rhuematic heart disease is non-communicable

Question 3

Is there a genetic link to RHD?

Answer 3

• Runs in families

- But not apparent genetic linkage

Question 4

What are the risk factors for rheumatic fever?

Answer 4

Social

• Overcrowded housing
• Education

Economics
- Poverty

Health
- Access to healthcare

Ethnic disparities

Question 5

Whats the jones criteria?

Answer 5

Major
- Carditis (echo)
- Mono/Polyathritis
- Chorea (distinct writhing movement)
Minor
- Elevated Acute phase proteins
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Strep
- Supporting Strep A evidence

Question 6

How does strep pyogenes result in autoimmune disease?

Answer 6

M-proteins on strep A are cross reactive with CT in humans