Histopathological findings of inflammatory activity in patients with subclinical carditis / Achados histopatológicos de atividade inflamatória em pacientes com cardite subclínica

In patients with Chronic Rheumatic Carditis, active carditis is an often underdiagnosed condition. Rheumatic attacks promote the aggravation of existing lesions, leading to a deterioration of the patient's clinical condition. Thus, reducing the morbidity and mortality of the disease depends, in part, on controlling relapses through secondary prophylaxis. Underdiagnosis is due in part to the occurrence of subclinical rheumatic attacks. This study was carried out with data from patients who were diagnosed with Chronic Rheumatic Carditis and who underwent cardiac surgery for valve replacement or repair, without clinical or laboratory evidence of rheumatic outbreak. A fragment of myocardium was sent for histopathological analysis. Data on the frequency of histopathological alterations compatible with a rheumatic outbreak were analyzed. After analysis, 80% of patients showed changes compatible with inflammatory activity. Of these, 87.5% had lymphocytic infiltrate; 25% had Aschoff's nodules. The most frequent histopathological findings of chronic disease were myocardial hypertrophy in 56.7% of patients and fibrosis in 53.3% (AU).

Nos pacientes com Cardite Reumática Crônica, a cardite em atividade é uma condição frequentemente subdiagnos-ticada. Os surtos reumáticos promovem o agravamento das lesões já existentes, levando a uma deterioração da condição clínica do paciente. Dessa forma a redução da morbimortalidade da doença depende, em parte, do contro-le de recidivas a partir da profilaxia secundária. O subdiagnóstico deve-se em parte a ocorrência de surtos reumáti-cos subclínicos. Este estudo foi realizado com dados dos pacientes que tiveram o diagnóstico de Cardite Reumática Crônica e foram submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca para troca ou plastia valvar, sem evidência clínica ou laboratorial de surto reumático. Um fragmento de miocárdio foi enviado para análise histopatológica. Foram analisados os dados de frequência de alterações histopatológicas compatíveis com surto reumático. Após análises, 80% dos pacientes apresentaram alterações compatíveis com atividade inflamatória. Desses, 87,5% apresentavam infiltrado linfocitá-rio; 25% apresentavam nódulos de Aschoff. Os achados histopatológicos de doença crônica mais frequentes foram hipertrofia miocárdica em 56,7% pacientes e fibrose em 53,3% (AU).

Acute heart failure as an initial symptom of pediatric rheumatic carditis: clinical analysis of 10 cases / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of pediatric rheumatic carditis with the initial symptom of acute heart failure, and to improve the clinical understanding of the disease.Methods:The clinical data, laboratory examination results, imaging findings, treatment and prognosis data of 10 cases with acute rheumatic carditis were collected and analyzed retrospectively.The patients pre-sented with acute heart failure as the first symptom and were treated in Shenzhen Children′s Hospital from January 2015 to February 2022.Results:There were 4 males and 6 females in this study.The mean age was 9.1 years (3 years and 1 month to 11 years and 3 months), and the average onset age was (9.3 ± 3.2) days (4-14 days). All the 10 cases had circulation symptoms.Besides, 4 cases were also complicated with joint symptoms, 3 cases with neurological symptoms and 2 cases with skin symptoms.Echocardiography revealed mitral valve diseases in all cases.More specifically, combined valve diseases were found in 5 cases, pure mitral regurgitation in 3 cases, and mixed mitral valve diseases (mitral regurgitation complicated with mitral stenosis) in 2 cases.After receiving antibiotic therapy, anti-infection treatment and anti-heart failure therapy, symptoms improved in all patients and valve lesions were alleviated.All patients were followed up for 6 months to 6 years.Six cases had persistent rheumatic heart disease during the follow up.Conclusions:Pediatric rheumatic carditis with the initial symptom of acute heart failure is characterized by early onset and the typical manifestation of rheumatic fever.Mitral valve disease is the commonest lesion.Echocardiography is of great value for the early diagnosis of the disease.Medical treatment is effective, but the incidence of chronic rheumatic heart disease is still high.

Enfermedad reumática cardiaca: ¿Estamos realmente haciendo lo necesario? / Rheumatic heart disease: are we really doing what is necessary?

Resumen Objetivo: Revisar las características demográficas, clínicas y ecocardiográficas, así como el abordaje quirúrgico de pacientes con fiebre reumática menores de 18 años, durante un periodo de diez años. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, en el cual se incluyeron pacientes menores de 18 años, con diagnóstico de fiebre reumática entre los años 2006 a 2016. Resultados: Se incluyeron 22 niños con edades entre los 10 a los 14 años, de los cuales 59% (13/22) eran mujeres; 13,6% (3/22) provenían de Arauca y el 18,1% (4/22) eran indígenas. Se diagnosticó carditis en el 63,6% (14/22) seguido de poliartralgia y fiebre en un 59% (13/22) y 54% (12/22) respectivamente; así mismo, se detectó corea de Sydenham y eritema marginado 4,5% (1/22). Se determinó compromiso severo de válvula mitral en el 72,7% (16/22). 15 pacientes fueron llevados a cirugía; se realizó reemplazo valvular mitral en 13,3% (2/15), plastia mitral y tricúspide en el 40% (6/15), plastia mitral, tricúspide y aórtica en el 6,66%(1/15) y reemplazo aórtico en el 5,2% (1/15). Un paciente requirió oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea. La mortalidad fue del 0% (0/22). Conclusiones: Se observó que la fiebre reumática ocasionó grave compromiso cardiaco, que requirió un alto grado de intervención quirúrgica. Las poblaciones rurales e indígenas se beneficiarían notablemente de una prevención primordial, primaria y secundaria, al igual que de un diagnóstico y tratamiento oportunos.

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study is to review the demographic, clinical, and cardiac ultrasound characteristics, as well as the surgical approach, of patients less than 18 years-old with rheumatic fever. Materials and methods: A descriptive, retrospective study was conducted that included patients less than 18 years-old diagnosed with rheumatic fever between the years 2006 to 2016. Results: The study included a total of 22 children with ages between 10 and 14 years, of whom 59% were female. It was recorded that 13.6% (3/22) were from Arauca Department (Colombia), and 18.1% (4/22) were indigenous. Carditis was diagnosed in 63.6% (14/22), followed by polyarthralgia and fever in 59% (13/22) and 54% (12/22), respectively. Sydenham's chorea and marginal erythema was also detected in 4.5% (1/22). The severity of mitral valve involvement was determined in 72.7% (16/22). Of the 15 patients that had surgery, 13.3% (2/15) had a mitral valve replacement, mitral and tricuspid repair in 40% (6/15), mitral, tricuspid, and aortic repair in 6.66%, respectively (1/15), and aortic replacement in 5.2% (1/15). One patient required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. There was no mortality. Conclusions: It was observed that rheumatic fever led to serious cardiac compromise that required a high rate of surgical interventions. Rural and indigenous population would notably benefit from basic, primary, and secondary prevention, as well as a timely diagnosis and treatment.

The consequence of the first attack of acute rheumatic fever with subclinical carditis

Background: Immune mediated damage of RF occurs most prominently in the heart, joints, brain, skin and subcutaneous tissues, however RF leaves no lasting damage to the brain, joint or skin, it is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children and adolescents worldwide, therefore carditis is the most important manifestation of RF. Echocardiography along with color; Doppler imaging is now worldwide used for early detection of cardiac involvement even in the absence of clinical evidence, which in this case is called subclinical carditis (SCC) and was reported to cause similar consequences to clinically evident carditis.Methods: A retrospective study carried out on 35 patients already diagnosed to have RF and subclinical RHD and attending the cardiology clinic at Alexandria University Children’s Hospital (AUCH) from December 2015 to November 2016. Data collected from patients' files and then appropriately updated during subsequent follow-up visits.Results: 35 children already diagnosed to have RF and subclinical RHD were included in the current study, 22 patients (66.6%) improved completely with no residual cardiac lesion, 10 patients (30.3%) had persistent lesion and one patient (3.1%) had worsened condition.Conclusions: The most important predictors of poor prognosis according to the current study were recurrence and lack of regular compliance to long acting penicillin (LAP). Furthermore the outcome was not influenced by the treatment given in

¡Alerta Fiebre Reumática! A propósito de tres casos de Corea de Sydenham / Alert Rheumatic fever! About three cases from Sydenham Korea

La Corea de Sydenham (CS), manifestación mayor, tardía, frecuentemente única de la Fiebre Reumática (FR) y marcador de carditis, continúa afectando a nuestra población pediátrica pese a contar con los medios suficientes para evitarla. Presentamos tres casos de CS como manifestación de FR, con la presencia de carditis, atendidos en una sala de internación de un hospital público pediátrico en el lapso de los años 2014-2018. Es nuestra intención advertir a la comunidad médica sobre la importancia del tratamiento oportuno y completo de las faringitis estreptocócicas (grupos A, C y G) a fin de evitar la FR

Sydenham Korea (CS), a major, late, frequently unique manifestation of Rheumatic Fever (FR) and a carditis marker, continues to affect our pediatric population despite having sufficient means to avoid it. We present three cases of CS as manifestation of RF, with the presence of carditis, treated in an internment room of a pediatric public hospital during the years 2014-2018. It is our intention to warn the medical community about the importance of the timely and complete treatment of strep throat (groups A, C and G) in order to avoid RF

Rheumatic fever: update on the Jones criteria according to the American Heart Association review - 2015 / Febre reumática: atualização dos critérios de Jones à luz da revisão da American Heart Association - 2015

ABSTRACT Rheumatic fever is still currently a prevalent disease, especially in developing countries. Triggered by a Group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus infection, the disease may affect genetically predisposed patients. Rheumatic carditis is the most important of its clinical manifestations, which can generate incapacitating sequelae of great impact for the individual and for society. Currently, its diagnosis is made based on the Jones criteria, established in 1992 by the American Heart Association. In 2015, the AHA carried out a significant review of these criteria, with new diagnostic parameters and recommendations. In the present study, the authors perform a critical analysis of this new review, emphasizing the most relevant points for clinical practice.

RESUMO A febre reumática ainda é uma doença prevalente nos tempos atuais, sobretudo nos países em desenvolvimento. Deflagrada por uma infecção pelo Streptococcus β-hemolítico do grupo A, pode afetar pacientes geneticamente predispostos. A cardite reumática é a mais importante das manifestações clínicas, pode gerar sequelas incapacitantes e de grande impacto para o indivíduo e para a sociedade. Atualmente, seu diagnóstico é feito baseado nos Critérios de Jones, estabelecidos em 1992 pela American Heart Association (AHA). Em 2015, a AHA procedeu a uma significativa revisão desses critérios, com novos parâmetros e recomendações diagnósticas. No presente estudo, os autores fazem uma análise crítica dessa nova revisão e enfatizam os pontos de maior relevância para a prática clínica.

Parameters indicative of persistence of valvular pathology at initial diagnosis in acute rheumatic carditis: the role of albumin and CD19 expression / Parâmetros indicativos de persistência de patologia valvular no diagnóstico inicial de cardite reumática aguda: o papel da albumina e da expressão de CD19

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study is to define the predictors of chronic carditis in patients with acute rheumatic carditis (ARC). Methods: Patients diagnosed with ARC between May 2010 and May 2011 were included in the study. Echocardiography, electrocardiography, lymphocyte subset analysis, acute phase reactants, plasma albumin levels, and antistreptolysin-O (ASO) tests were performed at initial presentation. The echocardiographic assessments were repeated at the sixth month of follow-up. The patients were divided into two groups according to persistence of valvular pathology at 6th month as Group 1 and Group 2, and all clinical and laboratory parameters at admission were compared between two groups of valvular involvement. Results: During the one-year study period, 22 patients had valvular disease. Seventeen (77.2%) patients showed regression in valvular pathology. An initial mild regurgitation disappeared in eight patients (36.3%). Among seven (31.8%) patients with moderate regurgitation initially, the regurgitation disappeared in three, and four patients improved to mild regurgitation. Two patients with a severe regurgitation initially improved to moderate regurgitation (9.1%). In five (22.8%) patients, the grade of regurgitation [moderate regurgitation in one (4.6%), and severe regurgitation in 4 (18.2%)] remained unchanged. The albumin level was significantly lower at diagnosis in Group 2 (2.6 ± 0.48 g/dL). Lymphocyte subset analysis showed a significant decrease in the CD8 percentage and a significant increase in CD19 percentage at diagnosis in Group 2 compared to Group 1. Conclusion: The blood albumin level and the percentage of CD8 and CD19 (+) lymphocytes at diagnosis may help to predict chronic valvular disease risk in patients with acute rheumatic carditis.

Resumo Objetivo: Definir os preditores da cardite crônica em pacientes com cardite reumática aguda (CRA). Métodos: Os pacientes diagnosticados com CRA entre maio de 2010 e maio de 2011 foram incluídos no estudo. Foram feitos os testes de ecocardiografia, eletrocardiograma, uma análise do subgrupo de linfócitos, provas de fase aguda, níveis de albumina plasmática, antiestreptolisina-O (ASO) na manifestação inicial. As avaliações ecocardiográficas foram repetidas no 6º mês de acompanhamento. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com a persistência da patologia valvular no 6º mês como Grupo 1 e Grupo 2 e todos os parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais na internação foram comparados entre dois grupos de comprometimento valvular. Resultados: Durante o período do estudo de um ano, 22 pacientes apresentaram doença valvular; 17 (77,2%) apresentaram regressão da patologia valvular. Houve desaparecimento de regurgitação moderada inicial em oito pacientes (36,3%). Entre sete (31,8%) pacientes com regurgitação moderada inicialmente, a regurgitação desapareceu em três e quatro apresentaram melhoria para regurgitação leve. Dois pacientes com regurgitação grave inicialmente apresentaram melhoria para regurgitação moderada (9,1%). Em cinco (22,8%) pacientes o grau de regurgitação (regurgitação moderada em um [4,6%] e regurgitação grave em quatro [18,2]) continuou inalterado. O nível de albumina foi significativamente menor no diagnóstico no Grupo 2 (2,6 ± 0,48 gr/dL). A análise do subgrupo de linfócitos mostrou uma redução significativa no percentual de CD8 e um aumento significativo no percentual de CD19 no Grupo 2 em comparação com o Grupo 1. Conclusão: O nível de albumina no sangue e o percentual de linfócitos CD8 e CD19 (+) no diagnóstico podem ajudar a prever risco de doença valvular crônica em pacientes com cardite reumática aguda.

A comparative study of different animal model of acute and chronic rheumatic carditis in Lewis rats / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To make comparisons of the three models of acute and chronic rheumatic carditis to find out an optimal animal model.Methods AntigenⅠwas a emulsifier mixed by complete freund’ s adjuvant( CFA) and Group A streptococcus(GAS).AntigenⅡwas mixed by incomplete freund’s adjuvant(IFA) and GAS.Female Lewis rats were randomly divided into four groups: A, B, C treatmeat groups were immuned with antigenⅠat the foot pad firstly. Subsequently, rats in group A、B、C were injected antigenⅠ, antigenⅡand activated GAS respectively to make the models of RHD.Rats in control group D were immunized with the same protocol outlined as treatment groups but without GAS. Respectively 7, 12, 24 weeks the rats were sacrificed 24 ( each group was 6).The blood biochemical item and Hematoxylin-eosin( HE) staining of hearts were detected.Results In group C the mortality was 25%.In group A, the incidence of carditis was the highest.Histopathological manifestations of group A, C was not only revealed acute damage such as inflammatory cell infiltrate as well as group B, but also the Aschofflike cells in the myocardial cells interstitial.But in group A and C there had a great degree of the inflammatory cells infiltration than group B.At 24th week rats in group A detected the rate and degree of valve fibrosis in chronic damage were higher than group B and C.None of rats in group D presented carditis or valvulitis.Conclusion In group A, giving the GAS with continuous stimulation after using the mixed emulsification of CFA and GAS to immune Lewis rats for five times was a appropriate method which could provide an optimal animal model for experimental study of acute and chronic rheumatic heart disease.

Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease: The last 50 years.

Rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) continue to be a major health hazard in most developing countries as well as sporadically in developed economies. Despite reservations about the utility, echocardiographic and Doppler (E&D) studies have identified a massive burden of RHD suggesting the inadequacy of the Jones’ criteria updated by the American Heart Association in 1992. Subclinical carditis has been recognized by E&D in patients with acute RF without clinical carditis as well as by follow up of RHD patients presenting as isolated chorea or those without clinical evidence of carditis. Over the years, the medical management of RF has not changed. Paediatric and juvenile mitral stenosis (MS), upto the age of 12 and 20 yr respectively, severe enough to require operative treatement was documented. These negate the belief that patients of RHD become symptomatic ≥20 years after RF as well as the fact that congestive cardiac failure in childhood indicates active carditis and RF. Non-surgical balloon mitral valvotomy for MS has been initiated. Mitral and/or aortic valve replacement during active RF in patients not responding to medical treatment has been found to be life saving as well as confirming that congestive heart failure in acute RF is due to an acute haemodynamic overload. Pathogenesis as well as susceptibility to RF continue to be elusive. Prevention of RF morbidity depends on secondary prophylaxis which cannot reduce the burden of diseases. Primary prophylaxis is not feasible in the absence of a suitable vaccine. Attempts to design an antistreptococcal vaccine utilizing the M-protein has not succeeded in the last 40 years. Besides pathogenesis many other questions remain unanswered.

Efficacy of echocardiographic criteria for diagnosis of carditis in acute rheumatic fever.

Background: There is a great need forECHOcriteria for accurate diagnosis of carditis in acute rheumatic fever. Aim: To propose and test the efficacy of ECHO criteria for accurate diagnosis of carditis. Material and Methods: The 333 cases underwent detailed clinical examination, laboratory tests and meticulous Echocardiographic study.Vijay’s ECHO criteria for the diagnosis of carditis / subclinical valvulitis was used. 220 (66.06%) cases were both Jones’ positive and ECHO positive [True +ve], 52 cases (15.61%), probably had subclinical carditis as murmur was not heard (Jones’-ve) but ECHO was positive [False - ve]. Four cases, clinically diagnosed as carditis were Jones’+ve ,but ECHO showed congenital heart disease [False +ve]. 57 cases (17.11%) were clinically , echocardiographically and Jones’ negative were taken as control (True –ve). Sensitivity is81%and specificity is 93%. Conclusions: Precise diagnosis of both carditis /subclinical valvulitis is possible with Vijay’s ECHO criteria. ECHO should be included as a major criterion in Jones’criteria.

<i>Aspergillus </i>Pseudoaneurysm and Endocarditis of the Aortic Valve after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

<i>Aspergillus </i>pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is rare in patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), and there are few cases reports of patients with AIDS, or after transplantation. A 76-year-old man underwent CABG due to unstable angina in 2002 ; in 2005 and 2006, he suffered 3 episodes of pseudoaneurysm formation in the ascending aorta. The aneurysm was resected and the defect was repaired with a Dacron patch twice. Finally, aortic root replacement with the modified Bentall technique was performed, but pathological examination of the wall of the pseudoaneurysm showed <i>Aspergillus</i>. On day 13, the <i>Aspergillus </i>infection developed into septicemia, and he died.

Aspergillus Pseudoaneurysm and Endocarditis of the Aortic Valve after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

<i>Aspergillus </i>pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is rare in patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), and there are few cases reports of patients with AIDS, or after transplantation. A 76-year-old man underwent CABG due to unstable angina in 2002 ; in 2005 and 2006, he suffered 3 episodes of pseudoaneurysm formation in the ascending aorta. The aneurysm was resected and the defect was repaired with a Dacron patch twice. Finally, aortic root replacement with the modified Bentall technique was performed, but pathological examination of the wall of the pseudoaneurysm showed <i>Aspergillus</i>. On day 13, the <i>Aspergillus </i>infection developed into septicemia, and he died.

Frequência de internações por febre reumática em um hospital pediátrico de referência em um período de 20 anos / Frequency of admission of patients with rheumatic fever to a referral children's hospital during a 20-year period

OBJETIVO: Analisar a frequência de internações por febre reumática e as características dos pacientes portadores desta doença internados no Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão, Florianópolis (SC), entre 1986 e 2006. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, transversal, de eixo temporal, realizado por meio da análise dos prontuários médicos de pacientes com o diagnóstico, internados em 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 e 2006. A coleta de dados incluiu faixa etária, sexo, evidência de estreptococcia prévia, manifestações clínicas (critérios revisados de Jones) e evolução. A análise foi descritiva. RESULTADOS: Nos anos analisados, houve 99 internações, sendo 59 em 1986, 17 em 1991, oito em 1996, 12 em 2001 e três em 2006. Predominou a faixa etária de cinco e 15 anos e 51 por cento da amostra era composta por meninos. Observou-se anticorpo antiestreptolisina O elevado em 54 por cento dos pacientes. Dentre as manifestações maiores de Jones, predominou a cardite (73 por cento), seguida de artrite (44 por cento) e coreia (14 por cento). Insuficiência mitral foi a valvopatia mais frequente e o percentual de insuficiência cardíaca congestiva nos casos com cardite diminuiu de 51 por cento (1986) para zero (2006). A reinternação por recidiva ocorreu em 31 por cento dos casos, com um óbito. CONCLUSÕES: Houve declínio expressivo do número de hospitalizações por febre reumática ao longo dos anos. A queda do percentual de insuficiência cardíaca congestiva sugere um perfil de menor gravidade dos casos. O alto número de recidivas aponta para possível falha na profilaxia secundária.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency of patients with rheumatic fever admitted to Joana de Gusmão Children's Hospital, in Florianopolis, in southern Brazil, and their characteristics, between 1986 and 2006. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional, descriptive and temporal study included patients with rheumatic fever admitted to a referral hospital during 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006. Their medical records were reviewed and the following data were collected: age, sex, evidence of previous estreptococcal infection, clinical manifestations (revised Jones criteria) and outcome. RESULTS: There were 99 hospital admissions: 59 in 1986, 17 in 1991, eight in 1996, 12 in 2001 and three in 2006. The age group between five and 15 years was predominant and 51 percent of the sample was composed of boys. Elevated levels of antistreptolysin O antibody were found in 54 percent of the patients. Regarding Jones major manifestations, carditis was very frequent (73 percent), followed by arthritis (44 percent) and chorea (14 percent). Mitral insufficiency was the most observed valve disease and the percentage of heart failure among patients with carditis declined from 51 percent (1986) to zero (2006). Readmissions due to recurrence occurred in 31 percent of the cases, with one death. CONCLUSIONS: There was an expressive decrease in the number of patients with rheumatic fever admitted to the referral hospital. The decline in the percentage of heart failure over years suggests a less severe profile of the cases in recent years. The high number of recurrences suggests failures in secondary prophylaxis.

Caracterización de la población infantil con fiebre reumática / Characterization of the children population with acute articular rheumatism

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 31 niños con fiebre reumática que ingresaron en el Servicio de Cardiología del Hospital Infantil Norte Docente Dr Juan de la Cruz Martínez Maceira de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero del 2003 hasta diciembre del 2007, con el objetivo de identificar algunos aspectos clinicoepidemiológicos de la enfermedad en estos pacientes. Entre los principales resultados sobresalieron: el grupo etáreo de 10 a 14 años, el sexo femenino, la carditis y la poliartritis como formas clínicas, así como las afectaciones de las válvulas mitral y aórtica. En los pacientes con doble lesión valvular no se pudo realizar tratamiento quirúrgico.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 31 children with acute articular rheumatism who were admitted to the Cardiology Service of Dr Juan de la Cruz Martínez Maceira Northern Teaching Children Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from January, 2003 to December, 2007, with the purpose of identifying some clinical epidemiological aspects of the disease in these patients. Among the main results age group of 10 -14 years, female sex, carditis and polyarthritis as clinical forms prevailed, as well as involvement of mitral and aortic valves. In patients with double valvular lesion surgical treatment could not be performed.

The Diagnosis of Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

The Jones criteria is a clinical guideline for the diagnosis of rheumatic fever(RF) and carditis. The clinical features were divided into major and minor categories. Major manifestations include carditis, joint symptoms, subcutaneous nodules, erythema marginatum and chorea. The minor manifestations comprised clinical fi ndings(fever, artralgia, cardialgia,abdominal pain, nose bleeding ) and laboratory markers(Leukocytosis, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, prolonged PR on ECG). It was proposed that the presence of two major, or one major and two minor manifestations offered reasonable clinical evidence of rheumatic activity.Carditis is the single most important prognostic factor in RF; only valvulitis leads to permanent damage and its presence determines the prophylactic strategy. The clinical diagnosis of carditis in an index attack of RF is based on the presence of signifi cant murmurs (suggestive of mitral and aortic regurgitation), pericardial rub, or unexplained cardiomegaly with congestive heart failure.Myocarditis(alone) in the absence of valvulitis is unlikely to be of rheumatic origin and by itself should not be used as a basis for such a diagnosis. Two dimentional echo-Doppler and colour fl ow Doppler echocardiography are most sensitive for detecting structural abnormality, abnormal blood fl ow and valvular regurgitation. This method can detect all audible valvular regurgitations to be dThe use of 2D echo-Doppler and colour fl ow Doppler echocardiography may prevent the overdaignosis of a functional murmur as a valvular heart disease. Similarly, the overinterpretation of physiological or trivial valvular regurgitation may result in misdiagnosis of iatrogenic valvular disease. Accurate interpretation of the echocardiographic signals is therefore important.

Feature changes of rheumatic fever in last ten years / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To investigate the changes of clinical and laboratory manifestations of rheumatic fever (RF) in recent ten years by reviewing the medical data of 315 patients with RF. Methods Three hundred and fifteen in-patients and out-patients with RF during 1985-1995 (group A) and 1997-2007(group B) were selected. Their manifestations were compared. Results Male/female ratio was about 1:2. Carditis and polyarthritis were common manifestations. Compared with group A, the rate of low-grade fever and carditis increased and the rate of heart failure, positive rate of C reaction protein and antistreptolysin O decreased in group B. In group B, 61.4% patients fulfilled the updated Jones diagnostic criteria. 76.2% fulfilled the 2002-2003 WHO criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of peripheral blood lymphocyte procoagulant activity (PCA) for the diagnosis of rheumatic carditis was 79.1% and 71.4% respectively. That of the anti-streptococcal group A polysaccharide (ASP) antibodies was 70.3% and 70% respectively. Five to ten years follow-up clinical data were available for 35 cases since Dec. 1997. The recurrent rate of RF was 62.8%. Only 1/3 cases received regular secondary prevention. Recurrence rate of patients with regular secondary prevention was significantly lower than that of patients without regular secondary prevention. Conclusion Mild earditis has been increasing during last ten years. PCA and ASP are valuable tests for diagnosing rheumatic carditis. More emphasis should be paid to atypical cases, early diagnosis and regular secondary prevention in order to improve prognosis.

The Clinical Significance of Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and Soluble Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in Kawasaki Disease / 소아과

PURPOSE: Kawasaki disease (KD) is known as an acute multi-systemic vasculitis with various immunologic abnormalities. Adhesion of leukocyte to endothelial cells is a key event in the sequence of inflammatory response. This study was performed to investigate the clinical significance of serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in acute and subacute stages of typical KD for diagnostic and prognostic value. METHODS: A typical KD group was 32 patients who were hospitalized from Jan 2002 to Jun. 2004 was enrolled. Control was 16 non-KD patients with febrile illness. sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were measured and compared by Echocardiographic and clinical findings and cardiac troponin T and I. RESULTS: sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels of acute KD were significantly elevated over control (P= 0.019 vs. P=0.049, respectively) and sICAM-1 was significantly decreased in subacute stage (P= 0.0015). sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 had positive correlation with each other in both stages (P=0.0067, P=0.015, retrospectively). Neither sICAM-1 nor sVCAM-1 correctly reflected the coronary abnormalities and responsiveness to intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG) in both stages. But sVCAM-1 was significantly increased in the carditis group in both stages (P=0.025, P=0.014, retrospectively) and had a positive correlation with troponin T (r=0.63, P=0.00063). CONCLUSION: The levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were not very useful tools for detecting and predicting subsequent coronary abnormalities and responsiveness to IVGG in KD patients. However, sVCAM-1 appears to play a significant role in carditis of KD. Further studies are needed about various adhesion molecules and cytokines in the pathogenesis of KD.

The Risk Factors of Carditis in Children with Kawasaki Disease

PURPOSE: The most common complication of Kawasaki disease(KD) is the development of coronary artery aneurysm. Other cardiac complication include myocarditis, pericarditis, mitral or aortic insufficiency, congestive failure, and arrhythmia. These non- coronary cardiac problems have important role on clinical course in acute phase of KD. Extensive researches have been performed about the pathogenesis, natural course and treatment of coronary artery lesion. But the studies about non-coronary cardiac complication have been limited, so we aimed to study the manifestation, incidence, and clinical predictor of carditis. METHODS: The retrospective studies was performed to the 48 KD patients diagnosed in Chungnam National University Hospital from May 1998 to September 2004. The patients were divided into two groups. Patients with carditis(11 patients) and without carditis(37 patients) before receiving the IVGG infusion were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no differences in age and sex between two groups. Patients with long duration of fever and high Harada score had the significant increase in the incidence of carditis before the initial IVGG infusion. No significant differences were not shown between the two groups in terms of WBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, total protein, AST/ALT, LDH, CPK, troponin I, total cholesterol, and triglyceride before the initiL IVGG infusion. The incidence of carditis was high in patient with high CRP, low albumin, and high cholesterol and triglyceride. CONCLUSION: The possibility of significant carditis should be considered before the infusion of high dose IVIG, which may worse the caridac dysfunction. Some predictors of significant carditis such as long duration of fever, high Harada score, high levels of CRP, and low levels of albumin can be suggested.

A Case of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Like Syndrome with Pleural Effusion

Streptococcal toxic shock like syndrome is a rapidly progressive and a fatal disease like staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome. In spite of the wide expansion and development of potent antibiotics, streptococcal infection still threatens human being. Recently we experienced a patient with toxic shock like syndrome who was suffered from fever and neck pain with rapid progression to hypotension and multiorgan failure. Streptococcus pyogenes was proven in his throat culture which was done on admission. Pleural effusion and suspicious carditis with aortic and mitral valve regurgitation were examined on the third hospital day. He was treated successfully with antibiotics but we wanted to emphasize potentially fatal streptococcal toxic shock like syndrome in pediatric patients.

Acute Chagas' cardiopathy in a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) in Guadalajara, Mexico

Relatamos o caso de uma ursa polar (Ursus maritimus) de 24 anos de idade, que contraiu a infecção chagásica no Zoológico de Guadalajara, em Jalisco, no México, e morreu de cardite chagásica aguda 15 dias após o início da sintomatologia. Os achados histopatológicos são descritos, bem como a presença de triatomíneos (Triatoma longipennis Usinger) infectados por Trypanosoma cruzi coletados a 5 metros do local onde o animal vivia, na cidade de Guadalajara.

We report a 24-year-old female polar bear (Ursus maritimus) who contracted Chagas' infection at the Guadalajara Zoo, in Jalisco, México, and died of acute Chagas' carditis 15 days later. The histopathological findings are described, as well as the presence of triatomids (Triatoma longipennis Usinger) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi collected within 5 meters from the place where the animal lived in the city of Guadalajara.