Presence of Bound Immunoglobulins and Complement in the Myocardium in Acute Rheumatic Fever

Abstract

RECENT evidence has supported the concept that the Group A streptococcus possesses antigens immunologically related to human heart tissue1 2 3 and that crossreactive autoimmunity to heart may be stimulated in certain persons after streptococcal infection.4 It has been observed further that such crossreactive autoantibodies are associated with both the poststreptococcal state and rheumatic heart disease.4 Consistent with the possible role of autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of rheumatic fever are the additional observations of focal deposits of bound gamma globulin in the myocardium of 18 per cent of 100 biopsies of the rheumatic atrial appendage studied,5 and of extensive and massive deposition . . .