Serum procollagen III and serum laminin P1 in childhood acute rheumatic fever

ABSTRACT

The study included 35 cases of acute rheumatic fever [21 cases with carditis, 6 cases with arthritis and 8 cases with carditis and arthritis], aged 5-15 years and 15 healthy age matchable children as controls. Both cases and controls were subjected to thorough history, complete clinical examination, complete blood count, E.S.R. determination, estimation of antistreptolysin 0 titre, plain X-ray chest and heart, and determination of serum procollagen III and serum laminin P1. All the cases as well as the different subgroups studied of rheumatic fever had significantly lower serum procollagen III and significantly higher serum laminin P1 than controls. Serum laminin P1 was significantly higher in cases with cardiomegally than cases without cardiomegally. Cases with double mitral lesions showed significantly higher serum laminin P1 than cases with isolated mitral regurge. Serum laminin P1 was a sensitive indicator in carditis [95.2%], in carditis with arthritis [62.5%], and in arthritis [50%]