In: Biology
A 35 year-old man with a clinical history of rheumatic fever has recently developed a heart murmur.
This is most likely cause by?
Presence of rheumatoid factor
Molecular mimicry of the streptococcal antigen and cardiac myosin
Common variable immune deficiency
A birth defect
Answer is :-
Molecular mimicry of streptococcal antigen and cardiac myosin.
Rheumatic fever
It is an inflammatory disorder caused by a Group A strep throat infection it affects the connective tissue of the body causing temporary painful arthritis and other symptoms.
In some cases rheumatic fever causes long-term damage to the heart and it's valves. This is called rheumatic heart disease.
Causes of rheumatic fever :-
Rheumatic fever occurs as a result of rare strain of strep throat that isn't treated with antibiotics . This rare strain of strep triggers the inflammatory disorder, may be because the antibodies mistakenly also attack healthy cells such as the heart muscle and valve cells as well as joints brain and skin tissue, causing a reaction that results in inflammation.
Carditis
Inflammation of the heart muscle and tissue is the most serious result of rheumatic fever. In severe carditis the inflammation leads to scarring and permanent damage to the heart and particularly to the heart valve.
The Mitral valve which controls the flow of blood between the upper left chamber and the lower left Chamber of the heart is most often damaged.
The Aortic valves which sends the blood from the left lower chamber out to the body is the next most commonly affected heart valve. leakage of the heart wall is the most common finding.Blockage of the mitral valve can occur due to scarring. if either valve starts to leak severely, a surgery to repair or replace it may be necessary.(mostly after childhood )
Heart Murmur.
The heart murmur in a patient with rheumatic fever is due to the the increased blood flow across the thickened mitral valve.