Question

Pathophysiology of rheumatic fever: symptomatic or asymptomatic infection with __________________ stimulates antibody production to host tissue and damages organs directly. The infection usually precedes the onset of rheumatic fever by 2-6 weeks

Answer 1

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can occur as a complication of inadequately treated strep throat or scarlet fever and is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. Its pathophysiology involves the production of antibodies that cross-react with cardiac and other tissues, potentially causing irreversible heart valve damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

The pathophysiology of rheumatic fever involves symptomatic or asymptomatic infection with Streptococcus pyogenes, which stimulates antibody production to host tissue and damages organs directly. The infection usually precedes the onset of rheumatic fever by 2-6 weeks. These antibodies, resulted from molecular mimicry between the bacterial M protein and proteins found in the heart, joints, and nervous tissue, cause immune-mediated damage. While joint pain and nervous tissue damage are reversible, severe damage to heart valves can be irreversible, leading to heart murmurs and increased risk of recurrent episodes of acute rheumatic fever.