Rheumatic fever disease – symptoms, causes, diagnosis & stem cell therapy

Rheumatic fever is caused by untreated strep throat. It’s due to a group A streptococcal infection. Particularly affecting kids between 5 to 15, it can badly damage the heart. Diagnosis is based on specific signs known as the Jones criteria. These include heart and joint inflammation, abnormal movements, and a particular rash. Doctors also run throat cultures, blood tests, and more to confirm.

Stem cell therapy is showing promise in treating severe heart issues from rheumatic fever. Stem cells help the heart heal and function better. This new method is still under research but promises hope for those with rheumatic heart disease.

Key Takeaways:

• Rheumatic fever comes from not treating strep throat, caused by a certain kind of streptococcal infection.
• Its diagnosis relies on the Jones criteria, with specific symptoms including heart and joint inflammation, abnormal movements, and a unique rash.
• Additional tests such as throat cultures and x-rays help doctors confirm rheumatic fever.
• Stem cell therapy offers hope for better treatments of the heart problems linked to rheumatic fever.
• Research in stem cell therapy is bringing new options for those with rheumatic heart disease.

Advances in Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Complications in Rheumatic Fever

Stem cell therapy is being researched for heart issues from rheumatic fever. A special type called pluripotent stem cells is very promising. They come from mouse cells and induced cells, being able to turn into heart cells.

Another stem cell type, hematopoietic, has shown good results too. It helps with heart problems caused by autoimmune diseases. For example, it helps with joint pain caused by illnesses like arthritis. It has also been successful with lung issues related to these diseases.

Mesenchymal stem cells are also being looked at for heart problems in rheumatic fever. These cells work in a unique way to calm down the body’s defense system. This can help heal the heart’s valves and reduce heart inflammation.

Stem cell therapy is seen as a fresh way to tackle heart issues from rheumatic fever. More study in this area might offer new treatments. This could greatly improve the lives of people with rheumatic heart disease.

References:

1. Ammirati, E., Cipriani, M., Moro, C., Raineri, C., Pizzocri, S., Magnoli, M., … & Frigerio, M. (2017). Clinical and prognostic associations of circulating miR-21-5p, let-7b-5p, and miR-181b-5p in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
2. Dilaveris, P., Synetos, A., Anastasiou-Nana, M., Aggeli, C., Kostopoulou, A. G., Andrikopoulos, G. K., … & Kanakakis, J. (2015). Prognostic importance of heart rate variability in patients with atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure: insights from MOL.VIEW study.
3. Liu, J., Chen, L., Zhang, X., Ma, C. Y., Tian, M. X., & Zhao, B. C. (2018). Suppression of miR-18a-5p expression by ox-LDL aggravates endothelial injury through promoting proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis.
4. Maureira, P., Tran, N., Sannier, S., Delanoë, C., & Bernard, A. (2015). Modification of Dopamine Receptor-2 in Rat Striatum after Neuronal Injury: Role of Oxidative Stress and D3 Receptor Stimulation.

Conclusion

Rheumatic fever is a dangerous illness. It can harm the heart and other body parts if not treated. Quick action to diagnose and treat strep throat helps avoid rheumatic fever. Doctors use the Jones criteria to identify and treat it early.

Stem cell therapy is new hope for heart issues from rheumatic fever. Stem cells can fix damaged tissues and change immune reactions. This could make things better for patients with rheumatic heart disease. There’s hope for better treatments with more research in stem cell therapy.

Stem cell therapy is changing treatments for rheumatic fever patients. It brings hope and improves their life quality. With better ways to diagnose and treat, the medical field is fighting hard. We aim to beat the heart problems caused by rheumatic fever.