A patient is diagnosed with valvular heart disease after experiencing rheumatic heart fever. The nurse understands this disorder is caused by what action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Molecular mimicry occurs when the immune system mistakes the body's own tissues for foreign pathogens due to similarities in the molecular structures of the pathogen and the host tissues. In the case of rheumatic fever leading to valvular heart disease, the immune system attacks the heart valves, mistaking them for the bacteria that caused the initial infection. This is a classic example of molecular mimicry.

A Patient Is Diagnosed with Valvular Heart Disease After Experiencing