G ROUP A streptococcal infection initiates acute rheumatic fever; rheumatic valvular heart disease is a sequela that develops during or subsequent to the acute rheumatic episode. The mechanism by which the preceding streptococcal infection produces the arthritic and constitutional symptoms and valvular heart disease is unknown. Regardless of the mechanism involved, there is little doubt that pr...

Rheumatic heart disease causes more than 200,000 deaths worldwide annually, with the vast majority of these deaths occurring in developing countries, yet there are few autopsy studies of rheumatic heart disease in these countries. We performed a retrospective review of 6218 autopsies performed during the period from 1990 through 2006, searching for cases of rheumatic heart disease based upon th...

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utilities of the automated connective tissues disease screening assay, CTD screen, in patients with systemic rheumatic diseases. A total of 1093 serum samples were assayed using CTD screen and indirect immunofluorescent (IIF) methods. Among them, 162 were diagnosed with systemic rheumatic disease, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus er...

No screening test is ideal for detecting rheumatic diseases; diagnosis depends on appropriate history and thorough physical examination. Sometimes, laboratory investigations may be useful in confirming or ruling out rheumatic disease after a clinical diagnosis is considered. Once a rheumatic disease has been diagnosed, certain laboratory tests can help in assessing prognosis or determining the ...

ankylosing spondylitis (as) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease. phlegmasia cerulea dolens is a severe form of deep vein thrombosis characterized by swelling, pain, and bluish discoloration. treatment delay may cause venous gangrene, tissue ischemia, limb loss or death. here, we present an as case who presented with phlegmasia cerulea dolens and treated by catheter-directed thrombolysis.

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases and lymphocytic malignancies are related and this association is bidirectional. Lymphomas occur more frequently in the course of autoimmune disease and autoimmune rheumatic manifestations occur in the course of lymphocytic malignancies. An increased incidence of malignant lymphocytic diseases is present in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythema...

With interest, we read the article by Hajar[1] “Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Historical Perspective.’’ We want to correct the mistake associated with the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in this article. There was a mistake in Table 2 called “Summary of the American Heart Association revised 2015 Jones criteria.” The statement “Low‐risk population: Acute rheumatic fever (...

Biologic agents have dramatically shifted the treatment paradigm for rheumatic disease. Use of these agents can decrease disease burden, allow the patient to be weaned from corticosteroids, and reduce the likelihood of relapse. Eye disease associated with rheumatic conditions may present with a wide range of signs and symptoms. This coexisting pathology should not be overlooked and should be co...