Rheumatic fever Flashcards
What is rheumatism (simple description)
Inflammation of joints, muscles and fibrous tissue
What is the infection that causes rheumatism
Streptococcus pharyngitis (strep throat)
What bacteria causes strep throat
Streptococcus pyogene
What beta haemolytic group does streptococcus pharyngitis come under
Group A
What do the antigens of streptococcus pyogenes produce
Streptolysin
What does streptolysin cause
Beta haemolysis (lysis)
What type of hypersensitivity does it come under
Type 2
Describe how molecular mimicry occurs
The M protein on streptococcus pyogene is similar to the bodies own cells and the immune system attacks the bodies own cells when infection is present
What are risk factors
Children with strep throat and poverty
What symptoms are in the major jones criteria
Polyarthritis, pancarditis, subcutaneous nodules, erythema margentum and sydenham chorea
Minor jones criteria
Fever, joint pain, increased ESR, increased WBC, increased acute phase reactants and changes on ECG
How to diagnose rheumatic fever using jones
2 of the major or 1 major and two minor plus a previous streptococcus infection
What happens in chronic rheumatic heart disease
Fibrous scar tissue on heart valves (usually on the mitral valve) and often the chordae tendinae. This causes stenosis and regurgitation and increases of infective endocarditis. This is due to multiple streptococcus infections.
Treatment of acute rheumatic fever
Usually resolves with rest, anti inflammatory medications and antibiotics (penicillin). Prophylactic antibiotics can be used too prevent multiple strep infections
