Aschoff bodies are a histologic sign of which disease?

Aschoff bodies are a histologic sign of which disease?

• A. Infective endocarditis
• B. Atherosclerosis
• C. Rheumatic fever
• D. Mitral valve prolapse

Answer: (C)

Aschoff bodies reflect a granulomatous, immune-mediated myocarditis that occurs in acute rheumatic fever after infection with group A Streptococcus. They are foci in the myocardium with central necrosis surrounded by inflammatory cells, including distinctive Anitschkow cells (caterpillar-nucleus macrophages). This histology is classic for rheumatic fever and helps distinguish it from other cardiac conditions. Infective endocarditis would show vegetations due to infection, atherosclerosis involves lipid plaques in arteries, and mitral valve prolapse features myxomatous degeneration of valve tissue—none of which produce Aschoff bodies. Therefore, Aschoff bodies indicate rheumatic fever.

Aschoff bodies reflect a granulomatous, immune-mediated myocarditis that occurs in acute rheumatic fever after infection with group A Streptococcus. They are foci in the myocardium with central necrosis surrounded by inflammatory cells, including distinctive Anitschkow cells (caterpillar-nucleus macrophages). This histology is classic for rheumatic fever and helps distinguish it from other cardiac conditions. Infective endocarditis would show vegetations due to infection, atherosclerosis involves lipid plaques in arteries, and mitral valve prolapse features myxomatous degeneration of valve tissue—none of which produce Aschoff bodies. Therefore, Aschoff bodies indicate rheumatic fever.