THE PATHOGENESIS OF RHEUMATIC FEVER

Abstract

Annotation: Group A β-hemolytic streptococci cause postinfectious sequelae
(including acute rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease) associated with the immune
response. Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease are global problems. The
streptococcal response causes autoimmune reactions that target the heart, joints, brain,
skin, and subcutaneous tissue. The recently modified Kissel-Jones criteria remain
relevant for the diagnosis of the disease with population risk stratification and include
subclinical carditis detected by echocardiography as the main criterion. The article
examines the connection of molecular mimicry with streptococcus in the pathogenesis
of rheumatic fever .