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Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis 2018 15;3:e142-e155. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Introduction: A role for ficolin (FCN) 2 gene polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of recurrent severe streptococcal infections and rheumatic carditis has been suggested. The aim of the study was to evaluate a possible relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms located at positions -602 and -4 of the FCN2 gene and FCN2 serum levels and risk of development of rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

Material And Methods: Seventy-seven Caucasian Egyptian patients with RF were recruited with a control group of 43 healthy subjects. Read More

Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis 2018 28;3:e80-e82. Epub 2018 Jun 28.

Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Anat Histol Embryol 2019 Feb 17. Epub 2019 Feb 17.

Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy.

Anitschkow cells (AC) are a peculiar type of stromal cells observed in myocardium, cardiac valves and coronary vessels wall whose origin, characterization and role remain controversial. In human heart, they represent a histological hallmark of Aschoff nodules in rheumatic fever, but they have also been observed in other myocardial pathologies. Firstly, they have been considered a myocyte-derived cells, but light microscopy, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies pointed out that a macrophagic/histiocytic origin cannot be excluded. Read More

mSphere 2019 Feb 13;4(1). Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Tropical Diseases, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Group A (GAS) is a major cause of global infection-related morbidity and mortality. A modern controlled human infection model (CHIM) of GAS pharyngitis can accelerate vaccine development and pathogenesis research. A robust rationale for strain selection is central to meeting ethical, scientific, and regulatory requirements. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Feb 6;12(2). Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Crosshouse, Kilmarnock, Scotland.

Tonsillitis is an extremely common condition, usually it is self-limiting, of viral origin, and managed conservatively in general practice. Rarely patients require inpatient management, usually when bacterial infection is present or when the cause is virulent organisms such as Epstein Barr virus. Complications can be divided into non-suppurative; sepsis, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis and Lemierres disease, and suppurative; quinsy, parapharyngeal abscess and retropharyngeal abscess, respectively. Read More

Hellenic J Cardiol 2019 Jan 31. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Paediatrics, "Karamandaneion"General Paediatric Hospital Patras.

Ter Arkh 2018 Nov;90(11):79-89

N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.

Borreliosis after sucking ticks is an acute problem in the world. People do not go to doctors after that often, which leads to the development of various complications. Thrombosis of veins of various localization can be one of them. Read More

Case Rep Pediatr 2018 30;2018:8762482. Epub 2018 Dec 30.

Department of Pediatrics, University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children, Honolulu, HI 96826, USA.

The presence of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has rarely been described in one patient. This report describes an adolescent Polynesian male with RHD who developed SLE years later. Initially, he fulfilled modified Jones criteria for rheumatic fever with aortic insufficiency, transient arthritis, elevated streptococcal titers, and a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate with a negative antinuclear antibody (ANA). Read More

BMC Microbiol 2019 Jan 28;19(1):24. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.

Background: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a major human pathogen, which is associated with a wide spectrum of invasive diseases, such as pharyngitis, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). It is hypothesized that differences in GAS pathogenicity are related to the acquisition of diverse bacteriophages (phages). Nevertheless, the GAS genome also harbors clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (cas) genes, which play an important role in eliminating foreign DNA, including those of phages. Read More

Lancet 2019 01;393(10168):275

Department of Ophthalmology, Mohamed VI University Hospital of Marrakesh, Marrakesh, Morocco.

Int J Med Inform 2019 Mar 27;123:68-75. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

İstanbul University, Informatics Department, İstanbul, Turkey.

Background: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an important disease that is frequently seen in Turkey, it is necessary to develop solutions to cure the disease. It is believed that new data analysis methods may be applied to this disease, and this may be useful to discover previously unrecognized patterns. Data mining of existing records and data repositories may improve knowledge on the diagnosis and management of ARF. Read More

Acta Reumatol Port 2018 Oct-Dec;43(4):318-320

Centro Hospitalar São João.

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a rare life-threatening condition that involves excessive activation of inflammatory cells and overproduction of different cytokines. It is characterized by persistent fever, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenias and coagulopathy. Other prominent features are hyperferritinemia and findings of activated macrophages in haemopoietic organs, often associated with multi-organ impairment. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Jan 10;12(1). Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Cleveland Clinic - Fairview Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Myocardial calcification is a rare and life-threatening condition. It has been associated with a myriad of causes, including ischaemic heart disease, cardiac surgery, rheumatic fever, and myocarditis. However, this entity is less well recognised in the setting of toxic shock syndrome. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2019 Jan 3. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Rheumatology Research Center, Department of Medicine, and Department of Medicine B, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.

Objectives: Group A streptococcal (GAS) tonsillitis is reported as an uncommon cause of acute non-rheumatic fever (non-RF) myocarditis. The aim of this research was to study the occurrence, diagnosis, management and prognosis of this condition.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective computerised search through medical records of patients admitted to our tertiary medical center between 1998-2016 with the diagnosis of either acute rheumatic fever or non-RF streptococcal myocarditis based on criteria we developed and review the relevant literature from 1973-2016. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 18;9:3009. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Molecular Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Medical Pathology, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.

Rheumatic fever (RF) and its subsequent progression to rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are chronic inflammatory disorders prevalent in children and adolescents in underdeveloped countries, and a contributing factor for high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Their primary cause is oropharynx infection by , whose acetylated residues are recognized by ficolin-1. This is the only membrane-bound, as well as soluble activator molecule of the complement lectin pathway (LP). Read More

Rheumatol Int 2019 Mar 3;39(3):431-440. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.

Pediatric Rheumatology is an emerging specialty in Turkey with increasing number of available centers and specialists all over the country. In this paper, we sought to provide an overview on pediatric rheumatology service in our country, as well as to assess the principle published literature from Turkey in this field. A systematic literature search has been performed to achieve the significance and the impact of this manuscript. Read More

Indian Heart J 2018 Dec 30;70 Suppl 3:S74-S81. Epub 2018 May 30.

CUNY School of Public Health University, New York, USA.

Background: The lack of surveillance system is a major barrier in prevention and control of rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease (RF/RHD). Efficacy of school-based surveillance was evaluated for detection of acute pharyngitis and RF/RHD in Shimla district, HP.

Methods: The schools in district Shimla were randomly assigned to intervention and controlled arm (442 vs. Read More

Indian Heart J 2018 Dec 19;70 Suppl 3:S68-S73. Epub 2018 May 19.

IGMC, Shimla, HP, India.

Objective: To report the prevalence, risk factors and consequences of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients of rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

Methods: The Himachal Pradesh- Rheumatic Fever/Rheumatic Heart Disease (HP-RF/RHD) Registry database of 1918 patients was analyzed. AF was diagnosed with 12-lead ECG recording at entry in to the registry. Read More

Indian Heart J 2018 Nov - Dec;70(6):907-910. Epub 2018 Jan 8.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India. Electronic address:

A significant socioeconomic inequality is the main barrier to achieve primordial prevention of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the developing countries. An effective vaccine with affordable cost against Streptococcus yet to be identified. The subclinical nature of rheumatic fever (RF) is the main hurdle for effective primary prevention of RHD. Read More

Circulation 2018 Dec;138(23):2662-2665

Department of Immunology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.

Circulation 2018 Dec;138(23):2648-2661

Divisions of Inflammation (M.L.K., W.J.M., J.L.K., I.P.W.), Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.

Background: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease are autoimmune consequences of group A streptococcus infection and remain major causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality around the world. Improved treatment has been stymied by gaps in understanding key steps in the immunopathogenesis of ARF and rheumatic heart disease. This study aimed to identify (1) effector T cell cytokine(s) that might be dysregulated in the autoimmune response of patients with ARF by group A streptococcus, and (2) an immunomodulatory agent that suppresses this response and could be clinically translatable to high-risk patients with ARF. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Dec;7(24):e010223

1 Menzies School of Health Research Charles Darwin University Darwin Australia.

Background Acute rheumatic fever ( ARF ) and rheumatic heart disease cause substantial burdens worldwide. Long-term antibiotic secondary prophylaxis is used to prevent disease progression, but evidence for benefits of different adherence levels is limited. Using data from northern Australia, we identified factors associated with adherence, and the association between adherence and ARF recurrence, progression to rheumatic heart disease, worsening or improvement of rheumatic heart disease, and mortality. Read More

Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2018 28;22(6):390-399. Epub 2018 Sep 28.

Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common degenerative heart valve disease. Among the many risk factors for this disease are age, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, smoking, type-2 diabetes, rheumatic fever, and chronic kidney disease. Since many of these overlap with risk factors for atherosclerosis, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of CAVD development have been presumed to be similar to those for atherogenesis. Read More

Int Heart J 2019 Jan 5;60(1):71-77. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Cardiology, Atrial Fibrillation Center, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences.

The incidence of atrial tachycardia (AT) after rheumatic mitral valvular (RMV) surgery has been well described. However, there have been few reports on the characteristics, mechanism, and long-term ablation outcome of ATs after RMV surgery and concomitant Cox-MAZE IV procedure.The present study reviewed consecutive patients who underwent AT ablation between May 2008 and July 2013. Read More

J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2018 Jan-Dec;6:2324709618812196. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) itself is a rare, potentially life-threatening complication of a rheumatic disease, mostly seen in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It infrequently occurs in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and it is extremely rare to be the first presentation of SLE. In a study of 511 patients with SLE, 7 cases (1. Read More

Turk Pediatri Ars 2018 Sep 1;53(3):197-199. Epub 2018 Sep 1.

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Necip Fazıl City Hospital, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.

Various rhythm and connection disorders can be seen in the acute phase of acute rheumatic fever. First degree atrioventricular block, one of the minor signs of acute rheumatic fever, is the most common connection disturbance in this disease. Complete atrioventricular block, which seriously affects the conduction pathways, is rare in the literature. Read More

Inflammopharmacology 2018 Nov 16. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.

Ankylosing spondylitis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic fever are autoimmune inflammatory diseases that may be triggered in genetically susceptible individuals by specific bacterial pathogens. Inhibiting the growth of these bacteria with high antioxidant plant extracts may inhibit the aetiology of these diseases, as well as inhibiting the later phase symptoms. P. Read More

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:3582-3585

Rheumatic heart disease is the serious consequence of repeated episodes of acute rheumatic fever. It is the major cause of heart valve damage resulting in morbidity and mortality. Its early detection is considered vital to control the disease's progression. Read More

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:3120-3123

Rheumatic heart disease is responsible for the heart valve damage, caused by repeated episodes of rheumatic fever. The disease commonly inflames and scars the mitral valve of the heart, resulting in thicker, less mobile leaflets, with associated decrease in cardiac efficiency. It is important to measure and quantity the early manifestations of this disease, including variations of the thickness, shape and mobility of the leaflets. Read More

JMM Case Rep 2018 Sep 8;5(9):e005143. Epub 2018 Mar 8.

Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, National University of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is an important clinical condition with significant morbidity and mortality among the affected population. A single etiological agent is identifiable in more than 90 % of the cases, however, polymicrobial endocarditis (PE) is a rare find, with a poor clinical outcome. Here we report a case of native valve dual pathogen endocarditis caused by and in an immunocompetent individual. Read More

Hong Kong Med J 2018 Dec 9;24(6):593-601. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Department of Paediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Group A β-haemolytic or is a gram-positive coccus that tends to grow in chains. is the cause of many important human diseases, ranging from pharyngitis and mild superficial skin infections to life-threatening systemic diseases. Infections typically begin in the throat or skin. Read More

Semin Arthritis Rheum 2018 Oct 16. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva 4920235, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address:

Objective: Recurrent episodes of acute rheumatic fever may contribute to the development or worsening of rheumatic heart disease. Secondary penicillin prophylaxis (SPP) has been found to significantly reduce the incidence of rheumatic heart disease. This study sought to evaluate adherence to oral and intramuscular SPP in pediatric patients with rheumatic fever using real-world data spanning 10 years. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2018 Nov 7;12(1):332. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Hannover Medical University, Clinic for Immunology and Rheumatology, Carl-Neubergstr. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.

Background: Osteoarticular tuberculosis is rare in Germany. In particular, trochanteric bursitis is an extremely rare manifestation of osteoarticular tuberculosis. We describe a case of tuberculous coxitis with trochanteric bursitis, successfully treated with a fourfold tuberculostatic therapy. Read More

Indian Heart J 2018 Sep - Oct;70(5):685-689. Epub 2018 Jan 9.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.

Introduction: Mitral stenosis due to rheumatic heart disease is a common problem in India causing significant morbidity and mortality. We have compared the maternal and fetal outcome of women with severe mitral stenosis undergoing percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy before or during pregnancy.

Methods: A total of 24 women of severe rheumatic mitral stenosis who underwent balloon mitral valvotomy before pregnancy (14 women, group 1) or during pregnancy (10 women, group 2) were included in the retrospective descriptive analysis. Read More

Circulation 2018 Oct;138(18):1920-1922

Kupat Holim Meuhedet, Jerusalem District, Israel.

Circulation 2018 Sep;138(12):e169-e209

Background: Chagas disease, resulting from the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important cause of heart failure, stroke, arrhythmia, and sudden death. Traditionally regarded as a tropical disease found only in Central America and South America, Chagas disease now affects at least 300 000 residents of the United States and is growing in prevalence in other traditionally nonendemic areas. Healthcare providers and health systems outside of Latin America need to be equipped to recognize, diagnose, and treat Chagas disease and to prevent further disease transmission. Read More

Med J Malaysia 2018 Oct;73(5):323-325

Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.

Acute Rheumatic fever (ARF) is commonly associated with ECG abnormalities particularly atrioventricular block. However, third degree atrioventricular block or complete heart block is a rare manifestation. Most cases occurred in children. Read More

BMC Complement Altern Med 2018 Oct 19;18(1):283. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Designated Reference Institute for Chemical Measurement (DRiCM), Bangladesh Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh.

Background: Crataeva nurvala Buch-Hum is an indigenous herb, extensively used in traditional medicines of the South Asian countries to treat inflammation, rheumatic fever, gastric irritation, and constipation. Despite this wide range of uses, very little information is known regarding its effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, this study evaluated the neuropharmacological properties of methanolic extract of Crataeva nurvala leaves (MECN) using a number of behavioral models in animals. Read More

Cardiol Young 2019 Jan 18;29(1):82. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

J Med Case Rep 2018 Oct 15;12(1):299. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital and Post-graduate Training Institute, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Western Province, Sri Lanka.

Background: Lymphadenopathy is not an uncommon presentation of adult onset Still's disease: it is present in up to two thirds of patients with adult onset Still's disease. The characteristic appearance of lymphadenopathy is described as intense, paracortical immunoblastic hyperplasia. Changes in light microscopy may resemble lymphoma, but immunohistochemistry reveals a benign polyclonal B cell hyperplasia. Read More

J Ethnopharmacol 2019 Jan 11;229:303-325. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Drug and Herbal Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Polyalthia is one of the largest and notable genera in Annonaceae family. Polyalthia species have been widely used in folklore medicine for the treatment of rheumatic fever, gastrointestinal ulcer and generalized body pain. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies on Polyalthia Species have also corroborated the significant anti-inflammatory potential of its extracts and secondary metabolites. Read More

Heart Surg Forum 2018 Aug 14;21(5):E352-E358. Epub 2018 Aug 14.

Department of Cardiac Surgery, National Heart Institute, Cairo, Egypt.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the leading cause of mitral valve disease in the developing world. In general, mitral valve repair is preferred over replacement. Although it is very successful in degenerative disease, its results in the rheumatic valve are not as successful as that for degenerative repair. Read More

J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2018 Oct;62 Suppl 1:28

Department of Radiology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales, Australia.

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2018 Sep-Oct;36 Suppl 114(5):171-176. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany.

Cardiovascular involvement is a well-known feature of inflammatory rheumatic diseases, although often clinically silent, so early cardiovascular involvement may remain unrecognised. Thus, increased awareness and improved insights into the pathomechanisms of heart disease in the context of inflammatory rheumatic disease has led to an emerging role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) as an accurate and non-invasive diagnostic test for detection of early (as well as late) cardiovascular involvement in inflammatory rheumatic disease. The present article will review the current potential as well as the limitations of established and emerging, qualitative and quantitative CMR techniques in the setting of inflammatory rheumatic disease and shed some light onto current developments in the field. Read More

Clin Med (Lond) 2018 Oct;18(5):400-402

Barts Health NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.

We present the case of a 41-year-old Australian woman with a 3-day history of fevers and migratory polyarthritis. Three weeks prior she had been treated by her GP with phenoxymethylpenicillin for acute tonsillitis. Examination confirmed synovitis. Read More

J Cardiothorac Surg 2018 Oct 4;13(1):104. Epub 2018 Oct 4.

Cardiac surgery department, Mohammed V teaching military hospital, Hay Riyad, PB 10100, Rabat, Morocco.

Background: The reoperation for isolated tricuspid regurgitation in rheumatic population is rare and still unclear and controversial because of the rarity of publications. The aim of this study was to analyze short and long-term results and outcome of tricuspid valve surgery after left-sided valve surgery in rheumatic patients.

Methods: Twenty six consecutive rheumatic patients who underwent isolated tricuspid valve surgery after left-sided valve surgery between January 2000 and January2017 were retrospectively registered in the study. Read More

Congenit Heart Dis 2018 Nov 2;13(6):1069-1071. Epub 2018 Oct 2.

Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas.

In the 2017, "Cairo Accord on Rheumatic Heart Disease-From Molecules to The Global Community" experts from endemic areas enumerated an approach to reduce the population burden of rheumatic heart disease. The 10 key recommendations include immediate logistical objectives as well as domains for further study. Echocardiographic population screening programs were relegated to research alone. Read More