Rheumatic fever develops after a preceding infection with which organism?

Rheumatic fever develops after a preceding infection with which organism?

• A. Staphylococcus aureus
• B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
• C. Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes)
• D. Haemophilus influenzae

Answer: (C)

Rheumatic fever is a postinfectious, immune-mediated complication that follows infection with Group A Streptococcus, specifically Streptococcus pyogenes, usually from a treated or untreated pharyngitis. The bacterial M protein shares epitopes with cardiac tissue, so antibodies generated against the bacteria cross-react with the heart and other tissues, causing pancarditis and the classic systemic features. The latent period is typically about 1–5 weeks after the throat infection. Other organisms listed (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae) can cause various infections but are not the classic precursors to rheumatic fever.

Rheumatic fever is a postinfectious, immune-mediated complication that follows infection with Group A Streptococcus, specifically Streptococcus pyogenes, usually from a treated or untreated pharyngitis. The bacterial M protein shares epitopes with cardiac tissue, so antibodies generated against the bacteria cross-react with the heart and other tissues, causing pancarditis and the classic systemic features. The latent period is typically about 1–5 weeks after the throat infection. Other organisms listed (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae) can cause various infections but are not the classic precursors to rheumatic fever.