Rhematic Fever Flashcards
What is rheumatic fever?
An autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting the heart, joints, CNS, skin, and subcutaneous tissues.
What causes rheumatic fever?
A delayed immune response to Group A streptococcal infection.
What is the latent period for rheumatic fever?
2-4 weeks after streptococcal infection.
What age group is most affected by rheumatic fever?
5-15 years.
Is rheumatic fever more common in boys or girls?
Equal, but chorea is more common in girls.
What is the role of molecular mimicry in rheumatic fever?
Antibodies against streptococcal antigens cross-react with human tissue antigens.
What are Aschoff nodules?
Proliferative lesions in rheumatic fever that heal by fibrosis.
What is the most common cardiac manifestation of rheumatic fever?
Carditis.
What is the characteristic rash in rheumatic fever?
Erythema marginatum.
What are subcutaneous nodules in rheumatic fever?
Painless, hard nodules over bony prominences.
What is Sydenham’s chorea?
A neurological manifestation of rheumatic fever characterized by involuntary movements.
What is the Jones Criteria?
Diagnostic criteria for rheumatic fever including major and minor manifestations.
What laboratory tests are used to diagnose rheumatic fever?
ASO titers, CRP, ESR.
What is the first-line treatment for rheumatic fever?
Penicillin to eradicate streptococcal infection.
What anti-inflammatory medications are used in rheumatic fever?
Aspirin and corticosteroids.
What is the primary prevention for rheumatic fever?
Prompt treatment of streptococcal infections.
What is secondary prevention for rheumatic fever?
Prophylactic antibiotics to prevent recurrence.
What is the most serious complication of rheumatic fever?
Chronic rheumatic heart disease.
What is the prognosis for rheumatic fever?
Good with early treatment, but risk of chronic heart disease with recurrence.
What is the role of echocardiography in rheumatic fever?
To detect subclinical carditis.
What is the difference between rheumatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatic arthritis affects large joints, is migratory, and does not cause deformity.
What is the significance of a functional murmur in children?
It is usually benign and not associated with structural abnormalities.
What is the treatment for Sydenham’s chorea?
Haloperidol or valproic acid, along with anti-inflammatory treatment.
What is the role of corticosteroids in rheumatic fever?
Used in severe carditis to reduce inflammation.
What is the importance of family history in rheumatic fever?
Positive family history may indicate a genetic predisposition.
What is the significance of elevated ASO titers?
Indicates recent streptococcal infection.
What is the typical duration of rheumatic fever symptoms?
Symptoms can last for weeks to months, depending on severity.
What is the role of aspirin in rheumatic fever?
Reduces inflammation and pain in arthritis and carditis.
What is the risk of recurrence in rheumatic fever?
High without prophylactic antibiotics.
What is the impact of rheumatic fever on school performance?
Poor school performance may be seen in children with chorea.
What is the role of penicillin in rheumatic fever?
Eradicates streptococcal infection to prevent further immune response.
What is the significance of CRP in rheumatic fever?
Indicates inflammation and disease activity.
What is the role of ESR in rheumatic fever?
Measures the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation, indicating inflammation.
What is the typical presentation of rheumatic carditis?
Murmurs, cardiomegaly, pericarditis, and heart failure.
What is the treatment for heart failure in rheumatic fever?
Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and beta-blockers.
What is the role of bed rest in rheumatic fever?
Recommended during acute phases to reduce cardiac workload.
What is the significance of a positive throat culture in rheumatic fever?
Confirms recent streptococcal infection.
What is the role of prophylactic antibiotics in rheumatic fever?
Prevents recurrence and further cardiac damage.
What is the typical duration of prophylactic antibiotics?
Often continued until adulthood or for at least 5 years after the last episode.
What is the role of surgery in rheumatic fever?
Valve repair or replacement in severe chronic rheumatic heart disease.
What is the significance of a history of sore throat in rheumatic fever?
Often precedes the onset of rheumatic fever by 2-4 weeks.
What is the role of NSAIDs in rheumatic fever?
Used for pain and inflammation in arthritis.
What is the significance of a prolonged PR interval in rheumatic fever?
Indicates carditis and conduction abnormalities.
What is the role of antistreptolysin O (ASO) titers?
Measures antibodies against streptolysin O, indicating recent streptococcal infection.
What is the significance of a history of scarlet fever in rheumatic fever?
Indicates recent Group A streptococcal infection.
What is the role of echocardiography in chronic rheumatic heart disease?
Assesses valve damage and guides treatment.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with heart disease?
Indicates possible chronic rheumatic heart disease.
What is the role of patient education in rheumatic fever?
Emphasizes the importance of adherence to prophylactic antibiotics.
What is the significance of a family history of rheumatic fever?
May indicate a genetic predisposition to the disease.
What is the role of public health measures in rheumatic fever?
Focuses on early detection and treatment of streptococcal infections to prevent rheumatic fever.
What is the role of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins in rheumatic fever?
They contribute to the immune response and inflammation.
What is the significance of a history of impetigo in rheumatic fever?
Indicates a possible streptococcal skin infection.
What is the role of genetic factors in rheumatic fever?
Certain HLA types may increase susceptibility.
What is the role of cytokines in rheumatic fever?
They mediate the inflammatory response.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in siblings?
Indicates a possible genetic or environmental risk factor.
What is the role of antistreptococcal antibodies in rheumatic fever?
They cross-react with human tissues, causing damage.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in parents?
May indicate a familial predisposition.
What is the role of complement activation in rheumatic fever?
Contributes to tissue damage and inflammation.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with arthritis?
May indicate rheumatic arthritis.
What is the role of T cells in rheumatic fever?
They play a role in the autoimmune response.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with chorea?
May indicate Sydenham’s chorea.
What is the role of B cells in rheumatic fever?
They produce antibodies that cross-react with tissues.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with carditis?
May indicate chronic rheumatic heart disease.
What is the role of macrophages in rheumatic fever?
They contribute to inflammation and tissue damage.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with erythema marginatum?
May indicate active rheumatic fever.
What is the role of neutrophils in rheumatic fever?
They contribute to the inflammatory response.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with subcutaneous nodules?
May indicate active rheumatic fever.
What is the role of dendritic cells in rheumatic fever?
They present antigens to T cells, initiating the immune response.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with a heart murmur?
May indicate rheumatic carditis.
What is the role of endothelial cells in rheumatic fever?
They are targets of the autoimmune response.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with pericarditis?
May indicate rheumatic carditis.
What is the role of fibroblasts in rheumatic fever?
They contribute to fibrosis in chronic lesions.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with myocarditis?
May indicate rheumatic carditis.
What is the role of collagen in rheumatic fever?
It is a target of the autoimmune response.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with endocarditis?
May indicate rheumatic carditis.
What is the role of elastin in rheumatic fever?
It is a target of the autoimmune response.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with valvular heart disease?
May indicate chronic rheumatic heart disease.
What is the role of proteoglycans in rheumatic fever?
They are targets of the autoimmune response.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with atrial fibrillation?
May indicate chronic rheumatic heart disease.
What is the role of glycosaminoglycans in rheumatic fever?
They are targets of the autoimmune response.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with mitral stenosis?
May indicate chronic rheumatic heart disease.
What is the role of laminin in rheumatic fever?
It is a target of the autoimmune response.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with aortic regurgitation?
May indicate chronic rheumatic heart disease.
What is the role of fibronectin in rheumatic fever?
It is a target of the autoimmune response.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with tricuspid regurgitation?
May indicate chronic rheumatic heart disease.
What is the role of integrins in rheumatic fever?
They mediate cell-matrix interactions.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with pulmonary hypertension?
May indicate chronic rheumatic heart disease.
What is the role of selectins in rheumatic fever?
They mediate leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with heart failure?
May indicate chronic rheumatic heart disease.
What is the role of cadherins in rheumatic fever?
They mediate cell-cell adhesion.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with arrhythmias?
May indicate chronic rheumatic heart disease.
What is the role of immunoglobulins in rheumatic fever?
They mediate the autoimmune response.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with conduction abnormalities?
May indicate chronic rheumatic heart disease.
What is the role of complement receptors in rheumatic fever?
They mediate complement activation.
What is the significance of a history of rheumatic fever in a patient with pericardial effusion?
May indicate rheumatic carditis.
What is the role of Fc receptors in rheumatic fever?
They mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.
What is the role of toll-like receptors in rheumatic fever?
They recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns.
What is the role of cytokines in chronic rheumatic heart disease?
They contribute to ongoing inflammation and fibrosis.
