A 10-year-old male presents with fever, lymphadenopathy, arthralgia, and nose bleeds. He is diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease. This disease is usually characterized by:
A) blood-borne organisms that adhere to the valvular surface.
B) antigens that bind to the valvular lining, triggering an autoimmune response.
C) high fevers that damage collagen in valve leaflets.
D) rheumatoid factor in the blood, stimulating valvular degeneration.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rheumatic heart disease is an autoimmune response triggered by group A Streptococcus antigens that bind to the valvular lining. This can lead to inflammation and scarring of the heart valves, resulting in symptoms such as fever, lymphadenopathy, arthralgia, and nose bleeds. Blood-borne organisms do play a role in causing rheumatic fever, but the autoimmune response is what leads to rheumatic heart disease. High fevers and rheumatoid factor are not characteristic features of this disease.

A 10-Year-Old Male Presents with Fever, Lymphadenopathy, Arthralgia, and Nose