User:Immunize/Rheumatic autoimmune causes for a fever

Rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that occurs following a Group A streptococcal infection, (such as strep throat or scarlet fever). Believed to be caused by antibody cross-reactivity that can involve the heart, joints, skin, and brain, the illness typically develops two to three weeks after a streptococcal infection. Acute rheumatic fever commonly appears in children between the ages of 5 and 15, with only 20% of first-time attacks occurring in adults. The illness is so named because of its similarity in presentation to rheumatism.

Diagnosis of Rheumatic fever: Modified Jones criteria were first published in 1944 by T. Duckett Jones, MD. They have been periodically revised by the American Heart Association in collaboration with other groups. According to revised Jones criteria, the diagnosis of rheumatic fever can be made when two of the major criteria, or one major criterion plus two minor criteria, are present along with evidence of streptococcal infection. Exceptions are chorea and indolent carditis, each of which by itself can indicate rheumatic fever. Major criteria:
 * Migratory polyarthritis: a temporary migrating inflammation of the large joints, usually starting in the legs and migrating upwards.
 * Carditis: inflammation of the heart muscle which can manifest as congestive heart failure with shortness of breath, pericarditis with a rub, or a new heart murmur.
 * Subcutaneous nodules: painless, firm collections of collagen fibers over bones or tendons. They commonly appear on the back of the wrist, the outside elbow, and the front of the knees.
 * Erythema marginatum: a long lasting rash that begins on the trunk or arms as macules and spreads outward to form a snake like ring while clearing in the middle. This rash never starts on the face and it is made worse with heat.
 * Sydenham's chorea (St. Vitus' dance): a characteristic series of rapid movements without purpose of the face and arms. This can occur very late in the disease.

Minor criteria:
 * Fever
 * Arthralgia: Joint pain without swelling
 * Raised Erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C reactive protein
 * Leukocytosis
 * ECG showing features of heart block, such as a prolonged PR interval
 * Supporting evidence of Streptococcal infection: elevated or rising Antistreptolysin O titre or DNAase..
 * Previous episode of rheumatic fever or inactive heart disease


 * Henoch-Schonlein purpura
 * Kawasaki disease
 * Systemic lupus erythematosus
 * Polyarteritis nodosa
 * Temporal arteritis
 * Polymyalgia rheumatica
 * Wegener's Granulomatosis
 * Sarcoidosis