The mechanism of the development of Acute Rheumatic Fever is which of the following?
Cross reactivity with exogenous antigen
Innocent bystander effect
Due to toxin secretion by streptococci
Release of pyrogenic cytokines
Acute rheumatic fever results from immune response to group A streptococci (Strep. pyogenes) which cross-reacts with host tissues. The antibodies directed against the M proteins of streptococci cross react with the self antigens in the hea. In addition, CD4+ T cells specific for streptococcal peptides also react with self proteins in the hea and produce macrophage activating cytokines. So, the damage to the hea tissue is a combination of antibody and T-cell mediated reactions
Rheumatic Fever