Acute Rheumatic

Fever

Dr. Toba kazemi, MD

2752-2757Harrison 2012

31.02.1391

ObjectivesObjectives• Etiology• Epidemiology• Pathogenesis• Pathologic lesions• Clinical manifestations & Laboratory

findings• Diagnosis & Differential diagnosis• Treatment • Prevention• Prognosis

• Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a multisystem disease resulting from an autoimmune reaction to infection with group A streptococcus.(GAS)

• Although many parts of the body may be affected, almost all of the manifestations resolve completely.

• The exception is cardiac valvular damage [rheumatic heart disease (RHD)], which may persist after the other features have disappeared

IntroductionIntroduction

Introduction

• ARF and RHD are diseases of poverty• They were common in all countries until the early 12th

century, when to decline in industrialized nations• This decline was largely attributable to : improved living conditions : less crowded

housing ,better hygiene- reduced transmission of GAS

The introduction of antibiotics and improved systems of medical care

Introduction

• Changing incidence of ARF in Alaska in rural populations

Introduction

• RHD is the most common cause of heart disease in children in developing countries and is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in adults as well

• Some 95% of ARF cases and RHD deaths now occur in developing countries.

• These "hot spots" are sub-Saharan Africa, Pacific nations, Australasia, and the Indian subcontinent

Epidemiology • Initial episode : aged 5-14 years. rare in persons aged >30 years. • Recurrent episodes of ARF remain relatively

common in adolescents and young adults.• Prevalence RHD: Peaks between 25 - 40

years. • M:F equally except Sydenham’s chorea which

is more common in girls• RHD more commonly affects females ,F/M=2

PathogenesisORGANISM FACTORS:infection of the upper respiratory tract

(pharyngitis)with group A streptococci.it is now thought that any strain of group A

streptococcus has the potential to cause ARF.Potential role of skin infection and of groups C and

G streptococci are currently being investigated.Different serotypes from strains causing impetigo or

glomerulonephritisHOST FACTORS

Diagrammatic structure of the group A beta hemolytic streptococcus

Capsule

Cell wall

Protein antigens

Group carbohydrate

Peptidoglycan

Cyto.membrane

Cytoplasm

…………………………………………………...

Antigen of outer protein cell wall of GABHS induces antibody response in victim which result in autoimmune damage to heart valves, sub cutaneous tissue,tendons, joints & basal ganglia of brain

PathogenesisHOST FACTORS• 3-6% of any population may be susceptible to ARF,• an inherited characteristic:Findings of familial clustering of cases and concordance in

monozygotic twins-particularly for chorea-confirm. Particular (HLA) class IIHigh levels of circulating mannose-binding lectin and

polymorphisms of transforming growth factor ~l gene and immunoglobulin genes.

High-level expression of analloantigen present on B cells,D8-17,

Pathogenesis

summary• Cause of “Acquired” heart disease in children.

( “world-wide” but not in USA ) - AHA: >3200 deaths in US, related to RF/RHD in 2004.• Sequelae of inadequately “treated” strep. pharyngitis.

( “strep throat” ) • “Highly” Uncommon - < 1% of untreated infections. - Gp A beta-hemolytic - rheumatogenic strains – “M” proteins. - 1/3rd of cases follow “inapparent” strep infections. • A “Non-Suppurative” Systemic Inflammatory illness

occuring 1 - 2 wks following a Strep.Infection. • Pathogenesis - “Autoimmune” mediated.• Multiple systems affected. (Joints, Skin, CNS & Heart !) • Primarily affects: 3 –15 year old age group.

Pathologic Lesions• Fibrinoid degeneration of

connective tissue,inflammatory edema, inflammatory cell infiltration & proliferation of specific cells resulting in formation of Ashcoff nodules, resulting in-

Pancarditis in the heartArthritis in the jointsAshcoff nodules in the subcutaneous tissueBasal gangliar lesions= chorea

CLINICAL FEATURES• The most common clinical presentation of ARF: polyarthritis ,fever• Polyarthritis :60-75% of cases• carditis : 50-60%• chorea :<2% to 30%. • Erythema marginatum: rare, <5%• subcutaneous nodules : rare, <5%

CLINICAL FEATURES

• There is a latent period of -3 weeks (1-5 weeks)

• The exceptions : chorea indolent carditis, • many patients report a perior sore

throatcommonly subclinical

objective evidence of inflammation, hot,swollen,red and/or tender joints.

Polyarthritis; more than one joint Migratory; moving from one joint to another over a

period of hours. affects the large joints-most commonly the knees,

ankles, hips, and elbows- asymmetric. in 80%,involved joints are exquisitely tenderThe pain is severe and usually disabling until anti-

inflammatory medication is commenced

1.Arthritis

Less severe joint involvement is also relatively common but qualifies only as a minor anifestation.

• Arthralgia without objective joint inflammation usually affects large joints in the same migratory pattern as polyarthritis.

• In some populations, aseptic monoarthritis may be a presenting feature of ARF.

• This may occur because of early commencement of antiinflammatory medication before the typical migratory pattern is established Without Complication.

1.Arthritis-continued

1.Arthritis-continued

• highly responsive to salicylates and other (NSAIDs).• joint involvement that persists more than 1 or 2 days

after starting salicylates is unlikely to be due to ARF. • Conversely, if salicylates are commenced early in the

illness, before fever and migratory polyarthritis have become manifest, it may be difficult to make a diagnosis of ARF.

• salicylates and other NSAIDs should be withheld-and pain managed with acetaminophen or codeine-until the diagnosis is confirmed

• Manifest as Pancarditis (endocarditis, myocarditis ,pericarditis), in 40-50% of cases the only manifestation of ARF that leaves a

sequelae & permanent damage to the organUp to 60% of patients with ARF progress to RHDmitral valve(MV) is almost always affected. sometimes together with the aortic valve(MV+AV) isolated aortic valve involvement is rare.

2.Carditis

Early valvular damage leads to regurgitation Valvulitis occur in acute phase(MR,AR)Chronic phase- usually as a result of recurrent

episodes, leaflet thickening, scarring, calcification, and valvular stenosis may develop (MS,MR,AS,AR)=multivalvular

Myocardial inflammation may affect electrical conduction pathways, leading to P-R interval prolongation (firstdegree AV block or rarely higher-level block) and softening of the first heart sound.

Pericardial effusionCHF

2.Carditis-continued

• Mainly in girls of 1-15 yrs age• occurs in the absence of other manifestations, follows a

prolonged latent period after GAS• May appear even 6/12 mo after ARF attack• choreiform movements affect head (causing darting

movements of the tongue) and the upper limbs• may be generalized or restricted to one side of the body

(hemi-chorea). • Clinically manifest as-clumsiness, deterioration of

handwriting,emotional lability or grimacing of face• Clinical signs- pronator sign, jack in the box sign ,

milking sign of hands

3.Sydenham Chorea

3.Sydenham Chorea

• The chorea varies in severity• In mild cases it may be evident only on careful

examination, while in the most severe cases the affected individuals are unable to perform activities of daily living and are at risk of injuring themselves.

• Chorea eventually resolves completely, usually within 6 weeks.

3.Sydenham Chorea

• Occur in <5%.• The classic rash of ARF is erythema marginatum • pink macules that clear centrally, leaving a spreading

edge Pale center with red irregular margin• The rash is evanescent, appearing and disappearing

before the examiner's eyes.• It occurs usually on the trunk, sometimes on the limbs,

but almost never on the face.• Worsens with application of heat• They are a delayed manifestation, appearing 2-3

weeks after the onset of disease, last for just a few days up to 3 weeks, and are commonly associated with carditis

4.Erythema Marginatum

• painless, small (0.5-2 ern), mobile lumps beneath the skin overlying bony prominences,

• particularly of the hands, feet, elbows, occiput, and occasionally the vertebrae.

• delayed manifestation, • appearing 2-3 weeks after the onset of disease, • last for just a few days up to 3 weeks, • commonly associated with carditis

5.Subcutaneous nodules

Other features (Minor features)• Fever-occurs in most cases of ARF, rarely in

cases of pure chorea. • Although high-grade fever (39°C) is the

rule,lower grade temperature elevations are not uncommon.

• Arthralgia,Pallor,Anorexia,Loss of weight• Elevated acute-phase reactants are also present

in most cases. • CRP and ESR are often dramatically elevated. • Occasionally the peripheral leukocyte count is

mildly elevated

Clinical Features:summary Polyarthritis – w/ low grade fever, large joints, ( > 75%) migratory , with no permanent dysfunction.Carditis -pancarditis( pericarditis, cardiomegaly, or valvulitis) ( ~ 50%)

(valvulitis is the most serious manifestation.) Chorea – late occurrence, 3 - 4 months after ( ~ 10%) infection, self-limiting, resolves in 1- 3 months.Erythema Marginatum – “classic” truncal rash, ( ~ 10%)

migratory - appears & disappears within hours. (pink rash – irregular red edges – clear center) Subcutaneous Nodules – late occurs late (1 - 2%)

( months after infection), painless small nodules over bony prominences - elbows, knees, spine.

Laboratory Findings• high ESR,CRP,WBC• EVIDENCE OF A GAS infection:With the exception of chorea and low-grade carditis,

preceding GAS infection is essential in making the diagnosis of ARF.

throat swab culture or rapid antigen test ;As most cases do not have a positive, serologic evidence is usually needed.

The most common serologic tests are the antistreptolysin0 (ASO) and anti-DNase B (ADB) titers.

.

Laboratory Findings• ECG- prolonged PR interval, 2nd or 3rd

degree blocks,ST depression, T inversion• Chest X-ray;cardiomegaly• 2D Echo cardiography- valve edema,mitral

regurgitation, LA & LV dilatation,pericardial effusion,decreased contractility

OTHER POST-STREPTOCOCCAL SYNDROMES

• 1-Post-streptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRA):small-joint involvement ,often symmetric a short latent period following streptococcal

infection (usually <1 week)causation : nongroup A -hemolytic

streptococcal infectionslower responsiveness to salicylates the absence of other features of ARF,

particularly carditis.

OTHER POST-STREPTOCOCCAL SYNDROMES

• 2- Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS)

tic disorders and obsessive-compulsive symptoms with GAS.

PANDAS are not to be at risk of carditis, unlike patients with Sydenham's chorea.

The diagnoses of PANDAS and PSRA should rarely be made in populations with a high incidence of ARF.

Diagnosis• Rheumatic fever is mainly a clinical diagnosis• No single diagnostic sign or specific laboratory

test available for diagnosis• Diagnosis based on MODIFIED JONES

CRITERIA

Jones Criteria – Diagnosis of ARF requires 2 major criteria OR one major and two minor criteria evidence of recent streptococcal infection

2002-2003 WHO Criteria for theDiagnosis of ARF and RHD(Based on the 1992 Revised Jones Criteria

Jones Criteria*

Major MinorPolyarthritis ArthralgiaCarditis Prolonged PRChorea Elevated CRP, ESRErythema marginatum FeverSubcutaneous Nodules Elevated WBC

evidence of a prior strep. infection ( increaser ASO or anti-DNAse AB)

or Hx of (+) C/S or Rapid Strep Test

Exceptions to Jones Criteria

Chorea alone, if other causes have been excluded

Insidious or late-onset carditis with no other explanation

Patients with documented RHD or prior rheumatic fever,one major criterion,or of fever,arthralgia or high CRP suggests recurrence

Treatment• Step I - primary prevention (eradication

of streptococci)• Step II - anti inflammatory treatment

(aspirin,steroids)• Step III- supportive management &

management of complications• Step IV- secondary prevention

(prevention of recurrent attacks)

Treatment Primary prophylaxis• the timely and complete treatment of group A streptococcal

sore throat with antibiotics .• If commenced within 9 days of sore throat onset, a course of

penicillin (as outlined above for treatment of ARF) will prevent almost all cases of ARF that would otherwise have developed.

• Treatment of choice is still PenicillinOral: penicillin, 500 mg BID (250 mg for children <27 kg)

PO, amoxicillin 50 mglkg (max 1 g) daily Parenteral: a single dose of 1.2 million units (600,000 units

for children < 27 kg) 1M benzathine penicillin G.– Treatment administered within 10 days of onset of illness

has been shown to prevent ARF.

Treatment anti inflammatory treatment • used for the treatment of arthritis, arthralgia, and fever,

once the diagnosis is confirmed.• They are of no proven value in the treatment of

carditis or chorea. • Aspirin is the drug of choice. • An initial dose of 80-100 mg/kg per day in children (4-

8 g/d in adults) in 4-5 divided doses is often needed for the first few days up to 2 weeks

• When the acute symptoms are substantially resolved, the dose can be reduced to 60-70 mg/kg per day for a further 2-4 weeks.

Treatment SECONDARY PREVENTION • patients with ARF are dramatically higher risk than the general

population of developing a further episode of ARF after GAS.• they should receive long-term penicillin prophylaxis to prevent

recurrences. • The best antibiotic is benzathine penicillin G (1.2 million units,

or 600,000 units if ≤27 kg) every 4 weeks. • It can be given every 3 weeks, or even every 2 weeks, to

persons considered to be at particularly high risk• Oral penicillin V (250 mg) BID • oral penicillin is less effective than benzathine penicillin G.• Penicillin allergic patients can receive erythromycin 250 mg

BID

Duration of treatment,SECONDARY PREVENTION

RF without carditis 5yrs or until 21yo – whichever is longer

RF with carditis but no valvular disease

10yrs or until 21yo – whichever is longer

RF with carditis and persistent valvular disease

At least 10yrs since last episode and at least until 40yo; sometimes lifelong

Antibiotics “NOT” Recommended for Strep. Pharyngitis:

• Sulfonamides • Trimethoprim / Sulfamethoxazole• Fluoroquinolones• Tetracyclines / Doxycycline /

Minocycline