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).

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.

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.

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.

Profilaxia secundária na febre reumática. Antibioticoterapia oral versus penicilina benzatina / Secondary Prophylaxis in Rheumatic Fever Oral Antibioticotherapy versus Benzathine Penicillin

PURPOSE: To detect problems related to secondary prophylaxis of rheumatic fever in the setting out patient follow-up. METHODS: Among 113 pediatric patients admitted with diagnosis of this disease, in a period of five years, we selected 80 records. They were divided in group 1 (60 cases), that only received prescription of benzathine penicillin for prophylaxis and group 2 (20 patients) to whom it was changed from parenteral to oral antibiotics after the detection problems using the first scheme. RESULTS: In group 1, among 53 who had carditis, 27 (45) had severe disease; 22 cases (37) were re-admitted with relapsed carditis following the refusal to use benzathine penicillin. Also, we observed that after discharged 32 (55) did not return to the out-patient clinic in HUAP. In group 2, from 16 who had carditis, 10 (50) had severe disease. Only two (10) did not return to ambulatory control and there was no case of readmission. The difference between the groups was statistically significant. (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: It was very high the percentage of cases that missed the control visits and abandoned the prophylaxis when it was insisted on parenteral penicillin. We should evaluate every case and remember that oral antibiotics might avoid a major problem.

Objetivo - Detectar problemas ligados à profilaxia secundária na febre reumática, através do seguimento ambulatorial dos pacientes. Métodos - Dentre 113 pacientes pediátricos internados, num período de cinco anos, com diagnóstico da doença, selecionamos 80 casos confirmados, divididos em grupo 1 (60 casos) - crianças que só receberam penicilina benzatina para profilaxia secundária e grupo 2 (20 pacientes) - onde a penicilina benzatina foi substituída por antibioticoterapia oral, ao se detectar problemas com o primeiro esquema. Resultados - No grupo 1, dos 53 que tiveram cardite, 27 (45%) eram graves. Em 22 (37%) ocorreram reinternações por recaída e destes, 12 (55%) porque o paciente recusou a penicilina benzatina. Observamos também que, após a alta hospitalar, 32 (55%) não retornaram para cotrole ambulatorial no HUAP. No grupo 2, dos 16 que tiveram cardite, 10 (50%) eram graves. Não ocorreu nenhum caso de abandono da profilaxia e apenas dois (10%) não retornaram para controle ambulatorial. Comparando a taxa de faltosos e de abandono da medicação, nos dois grupos, a diferença foi significativa para as duas variáveis. (p<0,01). Conclusão - Foi muito elevada a porcentagem de faltosos e de reinternação por abandono da medicação, no grupo da profilaxia parenteral. Deve-se avaliar cada caso e lembrar que a medicação oral pode evitar uma perda maior

Estudo clínico e ecocardiográfico das alteraçöes do aparelho mitral em crianças com cardite reumática grave. Aspecto de prolapso ou ruptura / Clinical and echocardiographic study of mitral valve in children with severe rheumatic carditis. Aspects of prolapse or rupture

Objetivo - Descrever casos de cardite reumática com aspecto ecocardiográfico de prolapso ou ruptura de cordoalha da mitral. Métodos - foram estudados 16 casos de cardite aguda (entre 5 e 15 anos), sendo que em 10 havia aspecto de prolapso mitral (grupo 2). As medidas das cordoalhas anteriores e anéis foram comparadas a 5 casos de febre reumática fora da atividade com dilataçäo de ventrículo esquerdo com insuficiência aórtica (grupo 3) e a 20 crianças normais com mesmas idades. Nos grupos 1 e 2 repemos as medidas após o tratamento. Resultados - A média das medidas no grupo 1 foi cordoalha naterior 26,48 + ou - 11,46 mm, diâmetro do anel 32,13 + ou - 7,35 mm; no grupo 2, respectivamente 29,72 + ou - 4,57 mm e 35,63 + ou - 7 mm e no grupo 3, 34,52 + ou - 6,8 mm para cordoalha anterior e 34,8 + ou - 4,61 mm para o anel. Entre as crianças normais as medidas foram, respectivamente, 18,19 + ou - 4,26 mm e 24,66 + ou - 2,85 mm. Após imunossupressäo (corticoterapia) ocorreur melhora do aspecto ecocardiogrfco em alguns casos. A analise estatística revelou que comparando as medidas das crianças dos grupos 1 e 2 com as normais, a diferença foi significativa, mas näo com as do grupo 3. Comparando as medidas antes e depois do tratamento também näo houve diminuiçäo siginificativa (grupo 1 e 2). Conclusäo - a cardite aguda provocou, nestes casos, alongamento significativo das cordoalhas e dilataçäo do anel mitral. A diminuiçäo das medidas após o tratamento näo foi significativa.

Purpose - To describe cases of rheumatic carditis with echocardiographic aspects of prolapse or rupture of mitral structures. Methods - We described 16 cases of acute carditis (ages between 5-15 years). In 10 (group 1) there was aspect of mitral prolapse, in 6 (group 2) aspect of "flail". The measurements of anterior chordae and anuli were compared to the ones of 5 cases of chronic rheumatic fever with dilated left ventricle and aortic regurgitation (group 3) and to 20 normal children of same ages. The same measurements were repeated after treatment. Results - The mean of the measurements in group I was; 26.48±11.46mm ­ anterior chordae; 32.13±7.35mm anuli; in the group 2 was respectively 29.63±4.57mm and 35.63±7mm. In the group 3 anterior chordae was 34.52 ±6.8mm, anuli: 34.8 ±4.61mm. In the normal group, respectively was: 18.19±4.26mm and 24.66±2.85mm. After corticosteroid many cases improved. In the statistical. In the statistical analyses, the measurements among patients of group 1 and 2 compared to normal children, the difference was significant but it was not compared to group 3. Comparing the measurements pre and post treatment the decrease was not significant. Conclusion ­ The acute carditis in these cases lead to significant elongation of anterior chordae and dilatation of anuli, but there was not a significant decrease after treatment